Potential role for fish in transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer): an environmental study

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 Sep;70(9):5679-81. doi: 10.1128/AEM.70.9.5679-5681.2004.

Abstract

This study reports a potential role that fish may play in the transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer). Fish found positive for M. ulcerans DNA all appear to feed on insects or plankton and are believed to concentrate M. ulcerans from this usual food source. These observations provide additional data supporting our previous hypothesis on sources of M. ulcerans and modes of transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Environment
  • Fishes / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / transmission*
  • Mycobacterium ulcerans*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction