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. 2002 Dec;68(12):6403-4.
doi: 10.1128/AEM.68.12.6403-6404.2002.

The environmental pathogen Mycobacterium ulcerans grows in amphibian cells at low temperatures

Michel Drancourt  1 , Vincent Jarlier, Didier Raoult
Affiliations

The environmental pathogen Mycobacterium ulcerans grows in amphibian cells at low temperatures

Michel Drancourt et al. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2002 Dec.

Abstract

Mycobacterium ulcerans, the etiological agent of Buruli ulcers, is an environmental pathogen. We cultivated it in an amphibian (XTC-2) cell line that grows at 28 degrees C. By counting of Ziehl-Neelsen-stained mycobacteria and by quantitative PCR analysis, we found that M. ulcerans multiplies rapidly in association with XTC-2 cells. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of intracellular M. ulcerans microorganisms. These data suggest an intracellular environmental niche, and we propose use of XTC-2 cells for isolation of M. ulcerans from environmental sources.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Transmission electron microscopy of intracellular M. ulcerans in XTC-2 cells showing a dividing mycobacterium. The bar represents 5 μm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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