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Adjuvant Activity of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Enhancing the Immunogenicity of Autoantigens During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
06:57

Adjuvant Activity of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Enhancing the Immunogenicity of Autoantigens During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

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Interaction between Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and environmental protozoa

Lynne Whan1, Irene R Grant, Michael T Rowe

  • 1Department of Food Science, Queen's University Belfast, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK. lynnewhan@hotmail.com

BMC Microbiology
|July 15, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Free-living protozoa, like Acanthamoeba, can ingest Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map). Ingested Map survives and multiplies within amoebae, showing increased resistance to chlorine disinfection in water.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Pathogen survival
  • Waterborne protozoa

Background:

  • Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) interactions with aquatic protozoa are probable.
  • Investigated Map ingestion by Acanthamoeba spp. and its effect on survival and chlorine resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if Acanthamoeba spp. can ingest and support Map survival and multiplication.
  • To assess the impact of amoebal ingestion on Map's resistance to chlorine inactivation.

Main Methods:

  • Co-culture of Map strains with Acanthamoeba castellanii and A. polyphaga.
  • Acid-fast staining to confirm intracellular Map.
  • Chlorine inactivation assays comparing ingested vs. free Map.

Main Results:

  • Acanthamoeba spp. ingested 4.6-9.1% of spiked Map populations.
  • Map numbers increased 1-1.5 log10 within amoebae between days 7 and 24.
  • Ingested Map exhibited significantly higher resistance to chlorine (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Acanthamoeba spp. facilitate Map survival and multiplication.
  • Amoeba-ingested Map demonstrates enhanced resistance to chlorine disinfection.
  • Findings impact water treatment strategies for Map-contaminated water.

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