Drinking Arsenic Water May Contribute to Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection

Abstract

Drinking water sources can be contaminated by toxic metals and metalloids such As arsenic (s), which occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. Exposure to high levels of arsenic may cause adverse health effects because it provides a favourable environment for harmful microorganisms to grow. Buruli ulcer (Bu), a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans MU infection is common in the Bomfa sub-district Ashanti region, Ghana. This study investigated the possible link between Buruli ulcer incidence and drinking water arsenic in the Bomfa subdistrict of Ghana. Drinking water sources in the study area were sampled and analyzed for arsenic. Surface map of arsenic concentration overlaid with locality map of BU incidents show localities with high incidents falling into regions of relatively high arsenic concentration. The exposure response relationship model showed a positive relationship between BU and drinking water arsenic. (i.e. R2=0.54, p=0.1). Statistical analysis of the data reveal that a high proportion of settlements with high BU prevalence utilize arsenic contaminated water sources. It was therefore concluded that arsenic likely contributes to MU infections in the study area.