scholarly journals Buruli Ulcer Disease in Travelers and Differentiation of Mycobacterium ulcerans Strains from Northern Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 3717-3721 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Lavender ◽  
M. Globan ◽  
P. D. R. Johnson ◽  
P. G. P. Charles ◽  
G. A. Jenkin ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Tello Rubio ◽  
Florence Bugault ◽  
Blandine Baudon ◽  
Bertrand Raynal ◽  
Sébastien Brûlé ◽  
...  

Mycolactone is a diffusible lipid toxin produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer disease. Altough bacterially derived mycolactone has been shown to traffic from cutaneous foci of infection to the bloodstream, the mechanisms underpinning its access to systemic circulation and import by host cells remain largely unknown. Using biophysical and cell-based approaches, we demonstrate that mycolactone specific association to serum albumin and lipoproteins is necessary for its solubilization and is a major mechanism to regulate its bioavailability. We also demonstrate that Scavenger Receptor (SR)-B1 contributes to the cellular uptake of mycolactone. Overall, we suggest a new mechanism of transport and cell entry, challenging the dogma that the toxin enters host cells via passive diffusion.


2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 6296-6298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Marsollier ◽  
Tchibozo Sévérin ◽  
Jacques Aubry ◽  
Richard W. Merritt ◽  
Jean-Paul Saint André ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Accumulative indirect evidence of the epidemiology of Mycobacterium ulcerans infections causing chronic skin ulcers (i.e., Buruli ulcer disease) suggests that the development of this pathogen and its transmission to humans are related predominantly to aquatic environments. We report that snails could transitorily harbor M. ulcerans without offering favorable conditions for its growth and replication. A novel intermediate link in the transmission chain of M. ulcerans becomes likely with predator aquatic insects in addition to phytophage insects. Water bugs, such as Naucoris cimicoides, a potential vector of M. ulcerans, were shown to be infected specifically by this bacterium after feeding on snails experimentally exposed to M. ulcerans.


EcoHealth ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mollie McIntosh ◽  
Heather Williamson ◽  
M. Eric Benbow ◽  
Ryan Kimbirauskas ◽  
Charles Quaye ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Kim ◽  
Shigtarou Mori ◽  
Tsuyoshi Kenri ◽  
Yasuhiko Suzuki

ABSTRACTBuruli ulcer disease is a neglected necrotizing and disabling cutaneous tropical illness caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (Mul). Fluoroquinolone (FQ), used in the treatment of this disease, has been known to act by inhibiting the enzymatic activities of DNA gyrase; however, the detailed molecular basis of these characteristics and the FQ resistance mechanisms in Mul remains unknown. This study investigated the detailed molecular mechanism of Mul DNA gyrase and the contribution of FQ resistance in vitro using recombinant proteins from the Mul subsp. shinshuense and Agy99 strains with reduced sensitivity to FQs. The IC50 of FQs against Ala91Vla and Asp95Gly mutants of Mul shinshuense and Agy99 GyrA subunits were 3.7- to 42.0-fold higher than those against wild-type enzyme. Similarly, the CC25 was 10- to 210-fold higher than those for the WT enzyme. Furthermore, the interaction between the amino acid residues of WT/mutant Mul DNA gyrase and FQ side chains was assessed via molecular docking studies. This is the first detailed study showing the contribution of Mul DNA GyrA subunit mutations to reduce the susceptibility against FQs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e0005415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Nausch ◽  
Daniel Antwi-Berko ◽  
Yusif Mubarik ◽  
Kabiru Mohammed Abass ◽  
Wellington Owusu ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Stephen Sarfo ◽  
Richard Phillips ◽  
Mark Wansbrough‐Jones ◽  
Rachel E. Simmonds

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanko Rufai ◽  
Enoch Aninagyei ◽  
Samuel Oko Sackey ◽  
Ernest Kenu ◽  
Edwin Andrew Afari

Background. Buruli ulcer (BU) is one of the most neglected tropical diseases caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. M. ulcerans infection may manifest initially as a pre-ulcerative nodule, a plaque, or oedema which breaks down to form characteristic ulcers with undermined edges. The Ga West Municipality is an endemic area for Buruli ulcer, and we evaluated the BU surveillance system to determine whether the system is meeting its objectives and to assess its attributes. Materials and Methods. We used a checklist based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated surveillance evaluation guidelines, 2006. We reviewed records and dataset on Buruli ulcer for the period 2011–2015. The evaluation was carried out at the national, regional, district, and community levels using the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region as a study site. Interviews with key stakeholders at the various levels were done using an interview guide, and observations were done with a checklist. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi info 7. Results. A total of 594 cases of Buruli ulcer were reported from 2011 to 2015 in Ga West. The number of confirmed cases decreased from 109 in 2011 to 17 in 2015. The system was useful, fairly simple, flexible, representative, and fairly acceptable. The system was sensitive with a PVP of 45.3%. Although the data quality was good with 85% of case report forms completed, there was under-reporting (3.6%), some discrepancies of data at the district, regional, and national levels. The system was moderately stable, and timeliness of reporting was 30.7%. Conclusion. The Buruli ulcer surveillance system is meeting its set objectives, and the data generated are used to reliably describe the epidemiologic situation and evaluate the results for actions and plan future interventions. There is a need for timely submission of data. We recommend that the National Buruli Ulcer Control Program (NBUCP) provides logistical support to treatment centres.


EcoHealth ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Wagner ◽  
M. Eric Benbow ◽  
Meghan Burns ◽  
R. Christian Johnson ◽  
Richard W. Merritt ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Daan Westenbrink ◽  
Ymkje Stienstra ◽  
Minke G. Huitema ◽  
William A. Thompson ◽  
Erasmus O. Klutse ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Buruli ulcer disease (BUD), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, follows an indolent course of initial progression to ulceration accompanied by extensive tissue damage. It has been suggested that healing disease stages are accompanied by a protective immune response. We hypothesized that interleukin-4 (IL-4)- or IL-10-induced downregulation of Th-1 responses plays a key role in the progression of early BUD and that healing is accompanied by an augmented Th-1 response. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-4, and IL-10 responses were measured after in vitro stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) of whole blood from 39 (23 early- and 16 late-stage) BUD patients and 39 healthy control subjects in Ghana. Additionally, 30 patients with active or treated tuberculosis (TB) serving as PPD-responsive positive controls were studied. Early-stage BUD patients produced significantly lower levels of IFN and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios compared to late-stage BUD patients after PHA stimulation. Compared to that of controls, IFN-γ production after tuberculin stimulation was significantly higher in late-stage but not in early-stage BUD patients (P = 0.009). IL-10 and IL-4 levels did not differ between BUD patients and controls, although active TB patients had significantly higher IL-10 production levels than did treated TB patients. Multivariate analysis showed no confounding factors. In conclusion, Th-1 down regulation in early BUD appears to reverse in later stages of BUD, although an association with IL-10 or IL-4 production does not emerge from our data. Here we show differences in Th-1-type cytokine production between early- and late-stage BUD that might reflect an improved immune defense over time.


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