1. Buruli Ulcer Arwen Frick-Cheng Bio 402

2. What is Buruli Ulcer? Infectious disease Characterized by the WHO as a Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) ▫14 NTD ▫Widely disregarded by industrial nations

3. What is Buruli Ulcer?

4. Regions/People Affected Tropical wetlands and rainforest ▫Mainly: West and Central Africa Associated with bodies of stagnant water The immunocompromised The poor Children

5. Causative Agent Mycobacterium ulcerans Related to Tuberculosis, Leprosy Colonies of Mycobacterium ulcerans. http://www.public.asu.edu/~shaydel/research_002buruli.html

6. Identification of Bacteria Acid Fast Stain Selective Culture Histopathology PCR Acid-fast stain of Mycobacterium ulcerans. http://www.who.int/buruli/information/diagnosis/en/index14.html

7. Symptoms Long latent period Usually on exposed body parts Four stages

8. Virulence Factor Toxin: Mycolactone ▫Immunosupressant ▫Necrosis

9. Treatment Antibiotic ▫Rifampicin Surgical removal/amputation Vaccination (BCG) Alternatives ▫Heat treatment ▫French Clay ▫Topical nitrogen oxides Will slowly heal on its own

10. Effects Heavy scarring ▫Contracture of limbs ▫Blindness secondary infections

11. References Neglected Diseases Caused By Bacterial Infections. M. Bechtle, S. Chen and T. Efferth. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2010, 17, 42-60 Laboratory diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease. Marcus Beissner, Karl-Heinz Herbinger & Gisela Bretzel. Future Science Group Mycolactone Inhibits Monocyte Cytokine Production by a Posttranscriptional Mechanism. Rachel E. Simmonds et al. J. Immunol. 2009;182;2194-2202