Buruli ulcer: application of thermography for remote diagnosis of a neglected tropical disease

Abstract

We here report a proof of concept of using thermography for teledermatology practice for skin of colour using an example of an early case of Buruli ulcer – a neglected tropical disease that mainly affects people living in remote communities of Africa. In the presented case, the full extent of the lesion and lymphangitis were further and more precisely detected by thermography than even with the naked eye. Redness, an important sign of inflammation, can be masked in individuals with skin of colour. If thermal images can be transmitted to remote dermatologists in addition to regular photographs in the practice of teledermatology, this may improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, especially for this neglected population.