Stopped: Slow/Insufficient accrual
Background: \- Podoconiosis is a disease of the lymph vessels in the legs and feet. It is caused by long-term barefoot exposure to irritant soils, such as those in volcanic areas. It causes severe swelling and disfigurement, as well as infection and chronic pain. It mostly affects people who live in tropical Africa, Central and South America, and India. The reasons why some people develop this disease and others do not is not well understood. Researchers want to study people with the disease and healthy volunteers in Ethiopia. They will collect skin and blood samples to study genetic and other aspects of the disease. Objectives: \- To collect skin and blood samples to study genetic and other aspects of podoconiosis. Eligibility: * Individuals at least 18 years of age who have podoconiosis (early stage or advanced stage). * Healthy volunteers at least 18 years of age. * Participants will be recruited from a study clinic and hospital in Ethiopia. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. * Blood samples will be collected. A skin biopsy will be performed to collect tissue for study. People who have podoconiosis will provide affected and unaffected tissue. Healthy volunteers will provide a single skin biopsy sample. * Treatment will not be provided as part of this study.
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Natural History
Timeframe: Ongoing