<i>Mycobacterium ulcerans</i> infection in two alpacas

O'Brien, Carolyn; Kuseff, G; McMillan, Euan M.; McCowan, Christina; Lavender, Caroline J.; Globan, Maria; Jerrett, I. V.; Oppedisano, Frances; Johnson, Paul D R; Fyfe, Janet

doi:10.1111/avj.12071

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The necrotic skin ulcers appeared grossly and histopathologically similar to those described in other species [16], [22], [36]. The lesions were characterised by extensive loss of the epidermis.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 73%

“…It has a worldwide but highly focal distribution, with endemicity recorded in 33 countries to date, predominately in sub-Saharan Africa and Australia. Sporadic cases and a number of localised outbreaks have been documented in people [2]–[13] and a variety of wild and domestic mammals [14]–[22] in southeastern Victoria, Australia, since the first reports of the disease over 60 years ago [3], [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clinical, Microbiological and Pathological Findings of Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection in Three Australian Possum Species

O'Brien

Handasyde

Hibble³

et al. 2014

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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BackgroundBuruli ulcer (BU) is a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, with endemicity predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa and south-eastern Australia. The mode of transmission and the environmental reservoir(s) of the bacterium and remain elusive. Real-time PCR investigations have detected M. ulcerans DNA in a variety of Australian environmental samples, including the faeces of native possums with and without clinical evidence of infection. This report seeks to expand on previously published findings by the authors' investigative group with regards to clinical and subclinical disease in selected wild possum species in BU-endemic areas of Victoria, Australia.Methodology/Principal FindingsTwenty-seven clinical cases of M. ulcerans infection in free-ranging possums from southeastern Australia were identified retrospectively and prospectively between 1998–2011. Common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), a common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and a mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami) were included in the clinically affected cohort. Most clinically apparent cases were adults with solitary or multiple ulcerative cutaneous lesions, generally confined to the face, limbs and/or tail. The disease was minor and self-limiting in the case of both Trichosurus spp. possums. In contrast, many of the common ringtail possums had cutaneous disease involving disparate anatomical sites, and in four cases there was evidence of systemic disease at post mortem examination. Where tested using real-time PCR targeted at IS2404, animals typically had significant levels of M. ulcerans DNA throughout the gut and/or faeces. A further 12 possums without cutaneous lesions were found to have PCR-positive gut contents and/or faeces (subclinical cases), and in one of these the organism was cultured from liver tissue. Comparisons were made between clinically and subclinically affected possums, and 61 PCR-negative, non-affected individuals, with regards to disease category and the categorical variables of species (common ringtail possums v others) and sex. Animals with clinical lesions were significantly more likely to be male common ringtail possums.Conclusions/SignificanceThere is significant disease burden in common ringtail possums (especially males) in some areas of Victoria endemic for M. ulcerans disease. The natural history of the disease generally remains unknown, however it appears that some mildly affected common brushtail and mountain brushtail possums can spontaneously overcome the infection, whereas some severely affected animals, especially common ringtail possums, may become systemically, and potentially fatally affected. Subclinical gut carriage of M. ulcerans DNA in possums is quite common and in some common brushtail and mountain brushtail possums this is transient. Further work is required to determine whether M. ulcerans infection poses a potential threat to possum populations, and whether these animals are acting as environmental reservoirs in certain geographical areas.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical, Microbiological and Pathological Findings of Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection in Three Australian Possum Species

O'Brien

Handasyde

Hibble³

et al. 2014

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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“…In contrast, strains of the classical lineage are typically isolated from human BU patients, but can also infect other endotherms [10, 11•, 15•]. In southeastern Australia infections by M. ulcerans strains belonging to the classical lineage were reported in a wide range of terrestrial mammals [16][17][18][19][20], in particular in possums, small arboreal marsupials [15•, 21]. In areas known to be endemic for human BU, significant numbers of possums were shown to have clinical M. ulcerans infections, implying their potential as reservoirs for the pathogen [4••, 15•].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Classical M. ulcerans strains-defined as lineage 3-were represented by human isolates from Africa as well as human and animal isolates from Australia. In areas of south-eastern Australia known to be endemic for human BU, M. ulcerans infections have not only been described in different wild possum species [42], but also in other native wildlife and domestic mammals, including koalas [43], horses [17], dogs [18], alpacas [20], and a cat [16]. However, possums appear to be particularly susceptible to M. ulcerans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mycobacterium ulcerans Disease (Buruli Ulcer): Potential Reservoirs and Vectors

Röltgen

Pluschke

2015

Curr Clin Micro Rpt

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Mycobacterium ulcerans is an emerging pathogen causing the skin infection Buruli ulcer (BU), one of the most neglected tropical diseases. BU is characterized by the formation of chronic, necrotizing skin lesions. This pathology is mainly attributed to the cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities of the unique polyketide-derived macrolide toxin mycolactone secreted by the pathogen. The disease has been reported from more than 30 countries worldwide, with an extremely focal geographic distribution within endemic countries and highest incidences in remote communities of West/ Central Africa and also certain coastal areas of Australia. While M. ulcerans has long been considered an environmental bacterium, recent findings from southeastern Australia, identifying possums as probable reservoirs of infection, indicate its zoonotic potential. The exact route of M. ulcerans transmission is unclear, although it is commonly assumed that infection takes place either through physical contact with environmental reservoirs via skin abrasions or through insect bites, while direct human-to-human transmission seems to be rare.

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“…Cases have been reported from at least 32 different countries in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, Central and South America and the West Pacific [64]. Using molecular studies, M. ulcerans has been found in frogs in Ghana and in skin lesions from koalas, possums, cats, dogs, horses and alpacas in Australia [66,67 & , [68][69][70][71][72]. In Africa most cases occur in children, and deformity leads to a significant impact on communities [64,65 && ].…”

Section: Mycobacterium Ulcerans Infection (Buruli Ulcer)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin and soft tissue infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria

Atkins

Gottlieb²

2014

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases

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An improved understanding of the epidemiology of NTM SSTIs indicates a need to apply effective infection control and ensure regulation of cosmetic and related procedures associated with nonsterile fluids. Broader access to newer diagnostic methods will continue to improve recognition of NTM disease. Along with a paucity of therapeutic agents, there is need for more reliable methods to assess susceptibility and selection of effective combination therapy.

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Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in two alpacas

Abstract: Mycobacterium ulcerans infection should be suspected in alpacas domiciled in endemic areas and presented with ulcerative skin disease.

Cited by 25 publications

References 43 publications

Clinical, Microbiological and Pathological Findings of Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection in Three Australian Possum Species

Clinical, Microbiological and Pathological Findings of Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection in Three Australian Possum Species

Mycobacterium ulcerans Disease (Buruli Ulcer): Potential Reservoirs and Vectors

Skin and soft tissue infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria

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