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. 2017 Aug;74(2):350-361.
doi: 10.1007/s00248-017-0946-6. Epub 2017 Feb 25.

Seasonal Pattern of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the Causative Agent of Buruli Ulcer, in the Environment in Ghana

Samuel Yaw Aboagye  1   2 , Kobina Assan Ampah  1   3   4 , Amanda Ross  3   4 , Prince Asare  1 , Isaac Darko Otchere  1 , Janet Fyfe  5 , Dorothy Yeboah-Manu  6
Affiliations

Seasonal Pattern of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the Causative Agent of Buruli Ulcer, in the Environment in Ghana

Samuel Yaw Aboagye et al. Microb Ecol. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) ecology by analysing both clinical and environmental samples collected from ten communities along two major river basins (Offin and Densu) associated with Buruli ulcer (BU) at different seasons. We collected clinical samples from presumptive BU cases and environmental samples from ten communities. Following DNA extraction, clinical samples were confirmed by IS2404 PCR and environmental samples were confirmed by targeting MU-specific genes, IS2404, IS2606 and the ketoreductase (KR) using real-time PCR. Environmental samples were first analysed for IS2404; after which, IS2404-positive samples were multiplexed for the IS2606 and KR gene. Our findings indicate an overall decline in BU incidence along both river basins, although incidence at Densu outweighs that of Offin. Overall, 1600 environmental samples were screened along Densu (434, 27 %) and Offin (1166, 73 %) and MU was detected in 139 (9 %) of the combined samples. The positivity of MU along the Densu River basin was 89/434 (20.5 %), whilst that of the Offin River basin was 50/1166 (4.3 %). The DNA was detected mainly in snails (5/6, 83 %), moss (8/40, 20 %), soil (55/586, 9 %) and vegetation (55/675, 8 %). The proportion of MU positive samples recorded was higher during the months with higher rainfall levels (126/1175, 11 %) than during the dry season months (13/425, 3 %). This study indicates for the first time that there is a seasonal pattern in the presence of MU in the environment, which may be related to recent rainfall or water in the soil.

Keywords: Buruli ulcer; Ghana; Mycobacterium ulcerans.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics Statement

Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the institutional review board of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) (Federal-wide Assurance number FWA00001824). Written informed consent was obtained from all individuals that participated in the study. Parents or guardians provided written consent on behalf of all participants below 18 years of age.

Consent for Publication

The manuscript does not contain any individual person’s data in any form. The image contained in this manuscript was generated by the authors.

Availability of Data and Material

The dataset analysed during this study are included in this manuscript as supplementary information files except one dataset which will be made available from the corresponding author on request.

Funding

This work was supported by the Stop Buruli Initiative funded by the UBS-Optimus Foundation. Travel grant was received from the Holgar Pӧlhman Foundation for real-time PCR training at the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Melbourne, Australia.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Map of Ghana showing study communities along the Densu and Offin River basins
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a, b Rainfall levels and M. ulcerans distribution along the Densu River basin
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a, b Rainfall levels and M. ulcerans distribution in along the Offin River basin
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Monthly BU case surveillance for Ashongkrom and Achiase
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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