Mycetoma spatial geographical distribution in the Eastern Sennar locality, Sennar State, Sudan

Abstract Background Mycetoma is a unique neglected tropical disease caused by a substantial number of different fungi or bacteria. Many of the disease's epidemiological characteristics are an enigma. Hence, understanding the spatial geographic distribution of mycetoma may clarify the association between the local environmental indicators, the spatial geographical distribution of mycetoma and its epidemiology. Methods This study set out to determine the spatial geographical distribution of mycetoma in the Eastern Sennar locality, Sennar State, one of the highly endemic states in Sudan. It included 594 patients with confirmed mycetoma seen at the Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan, from 1991 to 2020. The spatial geographical distribution of these mycetoma patients was studied. The study area geographic information system data, which included geological, soil, temperature and land cover details, were collected in different geographic information forms. Different geographical analytical techniques were used. Results The patients' demographic characteristics were similar to those of the general characteristics of mycetoma patients in Sudan. Eumycetoma was the predominant type of mycetoma encountered in the studied patients. The data studied showed that most patients were located in the southern part of the locality along the Blue Nile river. The study showed an association between patients' spatial geographical distribution and soil types. Most patients’ localities had light clay soil (475 patients [80%]), followed by sandy loam soil (79 [13%]) then loam soil (40 [6.71%]). Also, 85% of patients' localities had the same land cover and vegetation. There was no significant correlation between patients' localities with temperature or any other geological characteristic. Conclusion The present study showed certain associations between mycetoma spatial geographical distribution and certain environmental indicators. However, a further in-depth study to provide greater insight into the disease's epidemiological characteristics is needed.