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Published on: September 27, 2018
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex mycobacteria as amoeba-resistant organisms
Felix Mba Medie1, Iskandar Ben Salah, Bernard Henrissat
1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UMR 6236 CNRS-Université de la Méditerranée, IRD 189, IFR 48, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France.
Plos One
|June 16, 2011
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms exhibit resistance to amoeba, similar to environmental mycobacteria. Their survival within amoebal cysts protects them from biocides, potentially influencing their life cycle.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Environmental mycobacteria are known to interact with amoebae.
- The relationship between Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and amoebae is less understood.
- Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium canettii have proposed environmental origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members and Acanthamoeba polyphaga.
- To determine if amoebae serve as a host or vector for M. tuberculosis complex.
- To assess the resistance of M. tuberculosis complex to amoebal predation and environmental factors.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of mycobacteria with Acanthamoeba polyphaga.
- Optic and electron microscopy to observe phagocytosis and intracellular survival.
- Assessment of mycobacterial survival within amoebal cysts and protection against biocides.
Main Results:
- Mycobacterium canettii showed significantly higher phagocytosis rates by Acanthamoeba polyphaga compared to M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.
- A significant percentage of M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, and M. canettii survived within amoebal vacuoles.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis were found within amoebal cysts, with cysts providing protection against streptomycin and glutaraldehyde.
Conclusions:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members are amoeba-resistant, similar to environmental mycobacteria.
- Amoebal cysts can protect M. tuberculosis complex from biocides, suggesting a role in their environmental persistence.
- Mycobacterium canettii did not appear to form cysts with Acanthamoeba polyphaga.
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