< i > Mycobacterium ulcerans < /i > challenge strain selection for a Buruli ulcer controlled human infection model

by Stephen Muhi, Andrew H. Buultjens, Jessica L. Porter, Julia L. Marshall, Marcel Doerflinger, Sacha J. Pidot, Daniel P. O ’Brien, Paul D. R. Johnson, Caroline J. Lavender, Maria Globan, James McCarthy, Joshua Osowicki, Timothy P. Stinear Critical scientific questions remain regarding infection withMycobacterium ulcerans, the organism responsible for the neglected tropical disease, Buruli ulcer (BU). A controlled human infection model has the potential to accelerate our knowledge of the immunological correlates of disease, to test prophylactic interventions and novel therapeutics. Here we present microbiological evidence supportingM.ulcerans JKD8049 as a suitable human challenge strain. This non-genetically modified Australian isolate is susceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics, can be cultured in animal-free and surfactant-free media, can be enumerated for precise dosing, and has stable viability following cryopreservation. Infectious challenge of humans with JKD8049 is anticipated to imitate natural infection, asM.ulcerans JKD8049 is genetically stable followingin vitro passage and produces the key virulence factor, mycolactone. Also reported are considerations for the manufacture, storage, and administration ofM.ulcerans JKD8049 for controlled human infection.
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research