'I treat it but I don't know what this disease is': a qualitative study on noma (cancrum oris) and traditional healing in northwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Noma, a neglected disease mostly affecting children, with a 90% mortality rate if untreated, is an orofacial gangrene that disintegrates the tissues of the face in <1 wk. Noma can become inactive with early stage antibiotic treatment. Traditional healers, known as mai maganin gargajiya in Hausa, play an important role in the health system and provide care to noma patients. METHODS: We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with caretakers who were looking after noma patients admitted at the Noma Children's Hospital and 15 traditional healers in their home villages in Sokoto state, northwest Nigeria. We explored perceptions of noma, relationship dynamics, healthcare practices and intervention opportunities. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and translated. Manual coding and thematic analysis were utilised. RESULTS: Traditional healers offered specialised forms of care for specific conditions and referral guidance. They viewed the stages of noma as different conditions with individualised remedies and were willing to refer noma patients. Caretakers trusted traditional healers. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional healers could play a crucial role in the early detection of noma and the health-seeking decision-making process of patients. Intervention programmes should include traditional healers through training and referral partnerships. This collaboration could save lives and reduce the severity of noma complications.

Noma as a complication of false teeth (Ebiino) extraction: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ebiino, also known as false tooth extraction, is a traditional practice done mainly in the remote areas of African countries, including Uganda. It involves the extraction of tooth buds in babies with common childhood illnesses such as fever, cough, and diarrhea. It is thought that the tooth buds are responsible for the ailments seen in these infants. The practice is performed by traditional healers using unsterile instruments. The complications associated with this dangerous practice have been mentioned in the literature and include anemia and septicemia, among others. This case report describes a baby with noma, an orofacial gangrenous infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 16-month-old girl from western Uganda belonging to the Banyankole ethnic group was admitted to Mbarara University Teaching Hospital with a 5-day history of a dark lesion on the left cheek. The lesion had started from the left upper gum at the site where a tooth bud had been extracted 1 week prior to admission. The child had experienced occasional cough and fever and also had erupting tooth buds. These tooth buds had been seen as the cause of the cough and fever by the traditional herbalist; hence, they were extracted. An unsterile instrument had been used for the procedure. At the hospital, a local examination showed necrotic tissue involving the left cheek and extending into the left upper gingival area of the girl's mouth. A clinical diagnosis of orofacial gangrene (noma) was then made. CONCLUSIONS: Ebiino, or false tooth extraction, is still practiced in some remote areas of Uganda. Noma has been mentioned as a possible complication of this traditional practice; however, case reports in the literature are scant. Public awareness of the dangers of this practice is therefore still required to prevent this dangerous complication.

Cancrum oris in developed countries.

Cancrum oris (or noma) is a rapidly progressive disease characterized by destructive necrosis of oral tissues and underlying bone. It is part of a multistage condition and may represent the outcome of untreated necrotizing stomatitis. Necrotising stomatitis and cancrum oris predominantly affect children in developing countries, especially in Africa. Only few cases have been reported in developed countries, and were associated with debilitating diseases and disorders of the immune system. We report a case of noma in an elderly immunosuppressed Italian patient in whom necrosis caused an external buccal communication. This case stresses the importance of an early identification and prompt management of the necrotic condition, in order to avoid diffusion of the destructive process within the oro-facial tissues.

Noma (cancrum oris) in human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV and AIDS): clinical experience in Zimbabwe.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study describes the clinical features and management of noma (cancrum oris) in patients with HIV and AIDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of 48 consecutive patients with noma (cancrum oris) seen between July 2002 and November 2006 were reviewed for age, gender, clinical features, and management. Other reports on noma in HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe were also reviewed. RESULTS: There were 48 patients included; 35.4% (n = 17) were males, of which 64.7% (n = 11) were children (16 years and younger) and 35.3% (n = 6) were adults; 64.6% (n = 31) were females, out of which 87.1% (n = 27) were children and 12.9% (n = 4) were adults. The average age was 14.2 years (range, 3 to 30 years) for males and 9.2 years (range, 1 to 36 years) for females. The average age for the entire group was 11 years (range, 1 to 36 years). All patients were HIV-positive by the ELISA method. Only 13 patients had CD4 cell and CD8 cell count obtained, ranging from 10 to 594 cells/microL with a CD4/CD8 ratio ranging from 0.02 to 0.45. Only 5 patients had microbiologic investigations conducted, isolating Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella species, group D Streptococcus, and group B hemolytic Streptococcus. Isolated cheek defect (37.5%) was most common, followed by the type I and type IV defect (25% each). Administration of antibiotics, nutritional support, wound debridement, and sequestrectomy were conducted before definitive reconstructive surgery. Facial reconstruction was performed using distant and local advancement flaps. No bony reconstruction was performed. Satisfactory results were achieved with minimal infection and flap breakdown. Follow-up was difficult; patients were lost to follow-up within 6 to 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Noma cases are on the increase in line with the current HIV and AIDS epidemic. Female children appear to be more commonly affected than their male counterparts. Reconstructive surgery is possible in patients with low CD4/CD8 ratios because of HIV infection.

Necrotizing stomatitis in the developed world.

We present a case of a malnourished 68-year old man with occult hypothyroidism who presented with malaise, pyrexia, tongue swelling, oral ulceration and dysphagia after a 6-month period of increasing lethargy and failing self-care. Severe necrotic oral ulcerative lesions were accompanied by cutaneous purpura, blood-filled blisters and bedsores. It was concluded that the patient's clinical condition reflected necrotizing stomatitis on a background of malnutrition with scorbutic skin lesions and hypothyroidism. The patient made a good recovery with scrupulous oral hygiene, debridement, intravenous metronidazole and nutritional support. Healing occurred with marked fibrosis and trismus, which has slowly improved with mouth-opening exercises. Necrotizing stomatitis is more commonly encountered in malnourished children in developing countries, and may subsequently result in devastating facial defects and death. Patients in the developed world with poor oral hygiene, malnourishment and immunosuppression are also at risk, but early diagnosis and treatment is life-saving and reduces subsequent disability.