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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes
Published on: September 27, 2018
Relationship between mycobacteria and amoebae: ecological and epidemiological concerns
1STERIS Laboratory, CEA/DSV/IMETI/SEPIA, 18 route du Panorama, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France. vincent_thomas@steris.com
Abstract:
Since the discovery that Legionella pneumophila can survive and grow within free-living amoebae, there has been an increasing number of microbial species shown to have similar relationships. These include many bacterial species, fungi, other protozoa (e.g. Cryptosporidium) and viruses. Among bacteria, mycobacteria are of particular importance because of their role in human and animal infections. This review will consider the progress made in understanding the relationships between mycobacteria and amoebae, and their consequences in terms of ecology and epidemiology.
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