The Environmental Pathogen Mycobacterium ulcerans Grows in Amphibian Cells at Low Temperatures
Open Access
- 1 December 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Society for Microbiology in Applied and Environmental Microbiology
- Vol. 68 (12) , 6403-6404
- https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.68.12.6403-6404.2002
Abstract
Mycobacterium ulcerans , the etiological agent of Buruli ulcers, is an environmental pathogen. We cultivated it in an amphibian (XTC-2) cell line that grows at 28°C. By counting of Ziehl-Neelsen-stained mycobacteria and by quantitative PCR analysis, we found that M. ulcerans multiplies rapidly in association with XTC-2 cells. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of intracellular M. ulcerans microorganisms. These data suggest an intracellular environmental niche, and we propose use of XTC-2 cells for isolation of M. ulcerans from environmental sources.Keywords
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