-
Planta Medica Apr 2011Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, has recently been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an important emerging disease. It is largely... (Review)
Review
Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, has recently been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an important emerging disease. It is largely a problem of the poor in remote rural areas and has emerged as an important cause of human suffering. While antimycobacterial therapy is often effective for the earliest nodular or ulcerative lesions, for advanced ulcerated lesions, surgery is sometimes necessary. Antimycobacterial drugs may also prevent relapses or disseminated infections. Efficient alternatives different from surgery are presently explored because this treatment deals with huge restrictive factors such as the necessity of prolonged hospitalization, its high cost, and the scars after surgery. Traditional treatment remains the first option for poor populations of remote areas who may have problems of accessibility to synthetic products because of their high cost. The search for efficient natural products active on M. ulcerans should then be encouraged because they are part of the natural heritage of these populations; they are affordable financially and can be used at the earliest stage. This review provides a number of tests that will help to evaluate the antimycobacterial activity of natural products against M. ulcerans, which are adapted to its slow growing rate, and lists active extracts published up to now in Medline.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biological Assay; Biological Products; Buruli Ulcer; Colony Count, Microbial; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Plant Extracts; Radiometry
PubMed: 21240839
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250642 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Jan 2016The reservoir of Mycobacterium ulcerans causing Buruli ulcer (BU) remains unknown. Here, sterilized watery soil was mixed with 2 × 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU)/g of...
The reservoir of Mycobacterium ulcerans causing Buruli ulcer (BU) remains unknown. Here, sterilized watery soil was mixed with 2 × 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU)/g of M. ulcerans Agy99 or M. ulcerans ATCC 33728 and incubated in a microaerophilic atmosphere in the presence of negative controls. Both M. ulcerans strains survived in soil for 4 months with a final inoculum of 300-440 CFU/g. Further, three groups of five mice with and without footpad scarification were exposed to control soil or M. ulcerans-inoculated soil. Although no specific clinical and histopathological lesions were observed in control animals, red spots observed on 8/20 scarified feet in 8/10 challenged mice yielded inflammatory infiltrates and positive real-time polymerase chain reaction detection of M. ulcerans DNA in five mice. BU can be acquired as an inoculation infection with watery soil as a transient source of infection. These experimental observations warrant additional field observations.
Topics: Animals; Buruli Ulcer; Humans; Mice; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Soil; Soil Microbiology; Water
PubMed: 26526927
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0568 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jan 2019Zoonotic pathogens respond to changes in host range and/or pathogen, vector and host ecology. Environmental changes (biodiversity, habitat changes, variability in...
BACKGROUND
Zoonotic pathogens respond to changes in host range and/or pathogen, vector and host ecology. Environmental changes (biodiversity, habitat changes, variability in climate), even at a local level, lead to variability in environmental pathogen dynamics and can facilitate their transmission from natural reservoirs to new susceptible hosts. Whilst the environmental dynamics of aquatic bacteria are directly linked to seasonal changes of their habitat they also rely on the ecological processes underpining their transmission. However data allowing the comparison of these ecological processes are lacking. Here we compared the environmental dynamics of generalist and vector-borne aquatic bacterial pathogens in the same unit of time and space, and across rural and urban habitats in French Guiana (South America).
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Using Leptospira sp. and Mycobacterium ulcerans we performed an environmental survey that allowed the detection of both pathogens in urban vs. rural areas, and during rainy vs. dry weather conditions. All samples were subjected to qPCR amplifications of LipL32 (Leptospira sp.) and IS2404 and KR (M. ulcerans) genetic markers. We found (i) a greater presence of M. ulcerans in rural areas compared with Leptospira sp., (ii) that modified urban environments were more favourable to the establishment of both pathogens, (iii) that Leptospira sp. presence was enhanced during the rainy season and M. ulcerans during the dry period, and (iv) differences in the spatial distribution of both bacteria across urban sites, probably due to the mode of dissemination of each pathogen in the environment.
CONCLUSIONS
We propose that in French Guiana simplified and modified urban ecosystems might favour leptospirosis and Buruli ulcer emergence and transmission. Moreover, disease risk was also constrained by seasonality. We suggest that the prevention of aquatic bacterial disease emergence in impoverished urban areas of developing countries would benefit from seasonal diseases targeted surveys, which would maximise limited budgets from cash-strapped health agencies.
Topics: Environmental Microbiology; French Guiana; Humans; Leptospira; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Rural Population; Seasons; Spatio-Temporal Analysis; Urban Population
PubMed: 30615683
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007074 -
Releve Epidemiologique Hebdomadaire May 2002
Topics: Cameroon; Congo; Developing Countries; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Incidence; Malawi; Male; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Risk Factors; Skin Ulcer; Uganda
PubMed: 12040740
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health Jun 2002Mycobacterium ulcerans infection is the third most important mycobacterial infection world-wide affecting immunocompetent individuals and causes chronic progressive skin...
Mycobacterium ulcerans infection is the third most important mycobacterial infection world-wide affecting immunocompetent individuals and causes chronic progressive skin ulcers. It has been described in many different regions world-wide. The diagnosis of M. ulcerans infection is often delayed because the diagnosis is difficult to make when new cases appear outside known endemic areas. However, molecular methods are now available to diagnose and distinguish M. ulcerans from other mycobacteria, allowing rapid diagnosis. Presented here is the case of a previously well girl from Townsville, Queensland, with extensive M. ulcerans infection involving the elbow joint, triceps tendon and underlying bone. Rapid diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction confirmed M. ulcerans infection. This is the first known case of M. ulcerans infection from Townsville in over 25 years, highlighting the changing epidemiology of this disease.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Elbow; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sensitivity and Specificity; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Transplantation; Skin Ulcer; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 12047704
DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2002.00801.x -
Journal of Medical Microbiology Jan 2006The host range of well-characterized mycobacteriophages, such as D29 and TM4, has been determined, together with that of more recently isolated mycobacteriophages, in...
Host range of 14 mycobacteriophages in Mycobacterium ulcerans and seven other mycobacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis--application for identification and susceptibility testing.
The host range of well-characterized mycobacteriophages, such as D29 and TM4, has been determined, together with that of more recently isolated mycobacteriophages, in Mycobacterium ulcerans, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonae. Here, a set of virulent phages for M. ulcerans, a pathogen with a dramatic increase of incidence over the last decade, is demonstrated. In this work, a mycobacteriophage replication assay was adapted for the identification and rifampicin-susceptibility testing of M. ulcerans. Mycobacteriophages have generated a number of useful tools and enabled insights into mycobacterial genetics. With regard to the neglected pathogen M. ulcerans, the findings presented in this work allow the application of a large range of phage-based vectors and markers. The potential of phage therapy can now be evaluated for this extracellular pathogen.
Topics: Animals; Antitubercular Agents; Bacteriophage Typing; Culture Media; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobacteriophages; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium marinum; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Rifampin; Virus Replication
PubMed: 16388028
DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46238-0 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases May 2018Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Residence near aquatic areas has been identified as an important source of...
BACKGROUND
Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Residence near aquatic areas has been identified as an important source of transmission of M. ulcerans with increased risk of contracting Buruli ulcer. However, the reservoir and the mode of transmission are not yet well known. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of M. ulcerans in the environment and its relationship with Buruli ulcer occurrence in Zio and Yoto districts of the maritime region in south Togo.
METHODS
A total of 219 environmental samples including soil (n = 119), water (n = 65), biofilms/plants (n = 29) and animals' feces (n = 6) were collected in 17 villages of Zio and Yoto districts of the maritime region in Togo. DNA of M. ulcerans including IS2404 and IS2606 insertions sequences and mycolactone ketoreductase-B gene (KR-B) was detected using real time PCR amplification (qPCR) technique. In parallel, clinical samples of patients were tested to establish a comparison of the genetic profile of M. ulcerans between the two types of samples. A calibration curve was generated for IS2404 from a synthetic gene of M. ulcerans Transposase pMUM001, the plasmid of virulence.
RESULTS
In the absence of inhibition of the qPCR, 6/219 (2.7%) samples were tested positive for M. ulcerans DNA containing three sequences (IS2404/IS2606/KR-B). Positive samples of M. ulcerans were consisting of biofilms/plants (3/29; 10.3%), water (1/65; 1.7%) and soil (2/119; 1.5%). Comparative analysis between DNA detected in environmental and clinical samples from BU patients showed the same genetic profile of M. ulcerans in the same environment. All these samples were collected in the environment of Haho and Zio rivers in the maritime region.
CONCLUSION
This study confirms the presence of M. ulcerans in the environment of the Zio and Yoto districts of the maritime region of Togo. This may explain partially, the high rates of Buruli ulcer patients in this region. Also, water, plants and soil along the rivers could be possible reservoirs of the bacterium. Therefore, Haho and Zio rivers could be potential sources of infection with M. ulcerans in humans in these districts.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Buruli Ulcer; DNA Transposable Elements; DNA, Bacterial; Environmental Microbiology; Feces; Humans; Livestock; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Plasmids; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rural Population; Soil Microbiology; Togo
PubMed: 29782522
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006455 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Apr 2021Mycobacterium ulcerans, the opportunistic pathogen causing Buruli ulcer, is reported to affect rural populations in 36 tropical countries. We report one case of Buruli...
Mycobacterium ulcerans, the opportunistic pathogen causing Buruli ulcer, is reported to affect rural populations in 36 tropical countries. We report one case of Buruli ulcer in a peri-urban area in Côte d'Ivoire, confirmed by whole genome sequencing which indicated a M. ulcerans genotype previously unreported in Côte d'Ivoire.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Buruli Ulcer; Cities; Cote d'Ivoire; Genome, Bacterial; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Phylogeny; Rifampin; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 33819173
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1307 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Nov 2007Buruli ulcer (BU) occurs in >30 countries. The causative organism, Mycobacterium ulcerans, is acquired from the environment, but the exact mode of transmission is...
Buruli ulcer (BU) occurs in >30 countries. The causative organism, Mycobacterium ulcerans, is acquired from the environment, but the exact mode of transmission is unknown. We investigated an outbreak of BU in a small coastal town in southeastern Australia and screened by PCR mosquitoes caught there. All cases of BU were confirmed by culture or PCR. Mosquitoes were trapped in multiple locations during a 26-month period. BU developed in 48 residents of Point Lonsdale/Queenscliff and 31 visitors from January 2001 through April 2007. We tested 11,504 mosquitoes trapped at Point Lonsdale (predominantly Aedes camptorhynchus). Forty-eight pools (5 species) were positive for insertion sequence IS2404 (maximum likelihood estimate 4.3/1,000), and we confirmed the presence of M. ulcerans in a subset of pools by detection of 3 additional PCR targets.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Australia; Buruli Ulcer; Child; Child, Preschool; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Culicidae; Disease Outbreaks; Environmental Microbiology; Female; Humans; Infant; Insect Vectors; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 18217547
DOI: 10.3201/eid1311.061369 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jul 2018The environmental pathogen, Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) can infect both humans and animals and cause Buruli ulcer (BU) disease. However, its mode(s) of transmission from...
BACKGROUND
The environmental pathogen, Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) can infect both humans and animals and cause Buruli ulcer (BU) disease. However, its mode(s) of transmission from the colonized environment to human/animal hosts remain unclear. In Australia, MU can infect both wildlife and domestic mammals. Till date, BU-like lesions have only been reported in wildlife in Africa. This warrants a thorough assessment of possible MU in domestic animals in Africa. Here, we screened roaming domesticated animals that share the human microhabitat in two different BU endemic sites, Sedje-Denou in Benin and Akonolinga in Cameroon, for MU lesions.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
We screened roaming mammals and birds across 3 endemic villages of Sedje-Denou in Southern Benin and 6 endemic villages of Akonolinga in Cameroon. After approval from relevant authorities, specimens (wound swabs and tissue fragments) were collected from animals with open or active lesion and systematically screened to detect the presence of MU though the diagnostic DNA targets IS2404, IS2606 and KR-B. Out of 397 animals surveyed in Akonolinga, 44 (11.08%) carried skin lesions and all were negative for MU DNA. For Sedje-Denou, only 25 (6.93%) out of 361 animals surveyed carried external skin lesions of which 2 (8%) were positive for MU DNA targets. These MU infected lesions were found in two different villages on a goat (abdominal part) and on a dog (nape area of the neck). Source-tracking of MU isolates within infected animal lesions was performed using VNTR genotyping and further confirmed with sequencing. One MU VNTR genotype (Z) was successfully typed from the goat lesion. The evolutionary history inferred from sequenced data revealed a clustering of animal MU isolates within isolates from human lesions.
CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE
This study describes the first report of two MU infected lesions in domestic animals in Africa. Their DNA sequence analyses show close relationship to isolates from human cases. It suggests that MU infection should be suspected in domestic hosts and these could play a role in transmission. The findings further support the hypothesis that MU is a ubiquitous environmental pathogen found in endemic areas, and probably involved in a multiple transmission pathway.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Benin; Buruli Ulcer; Cameroon; Chickens; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ducks; Female; Genotype; Goat Diseases; Goats; Humans; Male; Mycobacterium ulcerans; Phylogeny; Poultry Diseases; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 29965961
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006572