Mycetoma and Human immunodeficiency virus infection in a child: a case report

Abstract

Mycetoma, a granulomatous infection caused by bacterial actinomycetes (actinomycetoma) and true fungi(eumycetoma) is uncommon in children . Though the role of immune status in the acquisition of the infection is controversial some authors consider HIV infection a risk factor. We report a case of mycetoma and HIV in a 7 year old girl. The source of HIV is thought to be through wet nursing by an aunt who later died from HIV infection. We highlight the difficulty of diagnosis and challenges of management in a resource poor setting and also draw attention to the potential dangers of wet nursing.