BUJUMBURA, January 13th (ABP) – Vitiligo is a complex autoimmune disease being explored to shed light on its genetic and non-genetic factors. It is classified among the rare diseases in Burundi. This was disclosed on Thursday, January 9, 2025 by Dr. Jean Berchmans Ntihebuwayo, a dermatologist at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Clinic in Bujumbura, during an interview he gave to a check by ABP.
According to him, we talk about genetic factors when a person has a genetic predisposition to develop a certain disease, adding that in this case it is the immune system that is involved. Dr. Ntihebuwayo indicates that vitiligo is characterized by skin depigmentation, and the immune system which is the body’s defense system has an exaggerated response against melanocytes.
He further emphasized that the latter are responsible for skin pigmentation. Their destruction leaves a white spot observed in people affected by this disease, he insisted.
Mr. Ntihebuwayo indicates that several factors come into play for this disease to be triggered, among others the immune system and other extrinsic factors including stress, from which the melanocytes are weakened and become sensitive to friction and rubbing. He also said that in this case, the rubbed area causes skin depigmentation to appear.
Concerning the symptoms, Mr. Ntihebuwayo indicates that the most common are white spots that appear on the patient’s body on the face, hands and feet, but also on the external genitals and anal region.
Despite these symptoms, Ntihebuwayo reassures that this disease is neither painful nor contagious, hence according to him, one should not be afraid to touch a person affected by vitiligo.
He also pointed out that vitiligo is a psychogenic and stigmatizing disease because according to him, the person who has seen the white spots appear on his body will be ashamed of having spots that others do not have.
Concerning the treatment, the dermatologist indicates that there is a personalized treatment. Each patient has a personalized treatment plan taking into account the affected skin area. He pointed out that there are other diseases that can be associated with this vitiligo disease, which the treating doctor must look for especially in the elderly.
He specified that in Burundi there are no statistics on vitiligo, but that it is a disease that can develop at any time in anyone without any distinction (children, adults and the elderly).
Note that a disease classified as a rare disease is a disease affecting less than 60 people out of 100,000 people, according to Dr. Oscar Nimpaye, the medical director at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Clinic.