Potential Links Between Coagulation Disorders and Mycetoma in Sudan: An Expert Commentary

Abstract

Mycetoma is one of the neglected diseases with a high burden in Sudan. Its clinical characteristics, chronic, progressive, tumefaction with discharge from sinuses, have been documented for decades. Nevertheless, despite its widely reported cutaneous and musculoskeletal effects, it has not historically received significant consideration for its systemic effects or potential actions related to the coagulation system until now. Drawing from personal clinical observations and relevant experience with similar chronic infections, the hypothesis of mycetoma association with derangement of hemostasis is discussed for Sudanese patients. Knowledge of this relationship could greatly influence surgical decision-making and associated patient safety in endemic areas where both material and financial resources are scarce. The expert commentary aimed to describe the possible connection between mycetoma and blood clotting problems, look at indirect evidence from similar illnesses, and provide practical clinical and research suggestions for areas where mycetoma is common but resources are limited. It’s based on the authors' clinical findings and a targeted, non-systematic literature review conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar, and has the potential to significantly impact future research. While the Mycetoma Research Center (MRC) has managed more than 12,000 patients, direct hemostatic profiling data from this group are not yet accessible, which is a gap this study aims to emphasize