6. Environmental mycobacteria

Question 1

what does mycobacterium avian subspecies paratuberculosis cause?

Answer 1

Johne’s disease in cattle

Question 2

What is buruli ulcer caused by?

Answer 2

M. ulcerans

Question 3

What are 4 determinant features of M. ulcers for the pathogenesis of buruli ulcer?

Answer 3

1. low optimal temperature of growth - skin is perfect
2. behaves as an intracellular microorganism, triggering inflammatory cell responses
3. Mycolactone-associated high toxicity
4. BCG vaccine found to protect against BU osteomyelitis

Question 4

What immunosuppressive effects does mycolactone have on dendrites?

Answer 4

Decreased phagocytosis
Decreased CCL4, CCL3, CXCL10, CCL5, CCL2
Decreased T cell recruitment

Question 5

What drugs could possibly be used to treat buruli ulcer?

Answer 5

Rifampicin plus clofazimine was shown to reduce ulcer size HOWEVER ulcer size of treated was larger than placebo to begin with

Question 6

What is a possible treatment method for BU?

Answer 6

antimycobacterial treatment plus surgery on the ulcers