First Confirmed Case of Madurella mycetomatis in Kuwait and a Review of Newer Diagnostic Techniques for Eumycetoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Mycetoma is a type of chronic granulomatous infection that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue, typically resulting from the traumatic inoculation of the causative organism. Typically, this disease is limited to the countries located in the subtropical zone. It is conventionally diagnosed based on certain typical direct microscopic features of grains and culture properties. However, the sensitivity and specificity of these tests are highly variable, apart from being time-consuming, invasive, and subjective. The rapid establishment of the identity of the causative organism, along with its drug susceptibility, plays an important role in the management of mycetoma to avoid complications and side effects associated with the long-term use of currently available drugs. Notably, cases of mycetoma have not been reported in Kuwait. This study investigated the first confirmed case of eumycetoma, and a brief comparative analysis of various molecular diagnostic tests currently used for diagnostic confirmation was performed.