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Review
. 2023 Jun 29;17(6):e0011394.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011394. eCollection 2023 Jun.

A human model of Buruli ulcer: The case for controlled human infection and considerations for selecting a Mycobacterium ulcerans challenge strain

Stephen Muhi  1   2   3 , Joshua Osowicki  4   5   6 , Daniel O'Brien  1   2   7 , Paul D R Johnson  1   8 , Sacha Pidot  1 , Marcel Doerflinger  3 , Julia L Marshall  1 , Marc Pellegrini  3 , James McCarthy  1   2 , Timothy P Stinear  1
Affiliations
Review

A human model of Buruli ulcer: The case for controlled human infection and considerations for selecting a Mycobacterium ulcerans challenge strain

Stephen Muhi et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

Critical knowledge gaps regarding infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans, the cause of Buruli ulcer (BU), have impeded development of new therapeutic approaches and vaccines for prevention of this neglected tropical disease. Here, we review the current understanding of host-pathogen interactions and correlates of immune protection to explore the case for establishing a controlled human infection model of M. ulcerans infection. We also summarise the overarching safety considerations and present a rationale for selecting a suitable challenge strain.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Ziehl–Neilson stain of M. ulcerans JKD8049 (×100 magnification with oil immersion) demonstrating clumping and cording characteristics, with innumerable acid-fast bacilli per clump when cultured in Sauton’s media without detergent.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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