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Cytotoxicity of Fusobacterium ulcerans
1Department of Medical Microbiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|July 1, 1989
Summary
A novel bacterium, Fusobacterium ulcerans, was identified in tropical ulcers. This Fusobacterium species demonstrated significant cytotoxicity in laboratory tests, potentially contributing to ulcer development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tropical ulcers are a neglected tropical disease with significant morbidity.
- The causative agent of many tropical ulcers remains poorly understood.
- Fusobacterium species are known human pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the bacterial species responsible for tropical ulcers.
- To investigate the pathogenic potential of the isolated bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of bacteria from tropical ulcer samples.
- Analysis of bacterial protein profiles using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
- In vitro cytotoxicity testing on various tissue-culture cell lines.
Main Results:
- A new species, Fusobacterium ulcerans, was isolated from 46 tropical ulcers.
- All isolates exhibited identical soluble cell protein patterns.
- Both tested strains of F. ulcerans induced significant cytotoxicity in Vero and Int-407 cells.
Conclusions:
- Fusobacterium ulcerans is identified as a novel species associated with tropical ulcers.
- The cytotoxicity of F. ulcerans suggests a role in the pathogenesis of tropical ulcers.