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Chitin promotes Mycobacterium ulcerans growth
Daniel Sanhueza1, Christine Chevillon2, Rita Colwell3
1UMR MIVEGEC IRD-CNRS-Université de Montpellier, Centre IRD de Montpellier, B.P. 64501, 34000 Montpellier, France Equipe Inserm Avenir ATOMycA, CRCNA INSERM U892 and CNRS U6299, Université et CHU d'Angers, 49933 Angers, France sanhueza.daniel@outlook.com.
FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|March 30, 2016
Summary
Chitin significantly boosts Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) growth, suggesting aquatic arthropods are key to Buruli ulcer spread. Other tested factors like calcium, iron, and phosphates had minimal or limiting effects on MU proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) causes Buruli ulcer, an emerging infectious disease with poorly understood ecology and life cycle.
- MU occurrence is linked to aquatic environments, particularly those impacted by human activities.
- Environmental factors associated with human activities may promote MU growth in aquatic systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro growth effects of specific environmental factors on Mycobacterium ulcerans.
- To identify key nutrients or conditions supporting MU proliferation in aquatic ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- In vitro testing of two polysaccharides and five chemical components on MU growth.
- Utilizing real-time PCR to quantify MU growth.
- Testing components at concentrations relevant to endemic regions.
Main Results:
- Chitin significantly enhanced Mycobacterium ulcerans growth, indicating its role as a nutrient source or environmental support.
- Calcium showed a slight enhancement of MU growth.
- Iron, zinc, sulfate, and phosphate did not stimulate MU growth and could limit populations at tested concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Chitin availability, potentially linked to aquatic arthropods, is a significant factor in Mycobacterium ulcerans multiplication.
- Aquatic environments with high arthropod populations may foster increased MU proliferation.
- Specific chemical components tested, except for calcium, are unlikely to drive MU population dynamics in natural ecosystems.
