title: Transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans to the nine-banded armadillo.
abstract: Animal models for Mycobacterium ulcerans infections (Buruli ulcer) include guinea pigs, rats, and mice, but each has limitations in replicating the spectrum of human disease. Here, 19 adult nine-banded armadillos were inoculated intradermally with M. ulcerans. Injection sites were examined and skin samples obtained for histologic and microbiology studies. Necropsies were conducted to assess systemic involvement. In group 1 (n = 4), 2 animals developed progressive skin ulcers with undermined borders at the injection sites within 6-10 weeks. Biopsies showed features similar to human disease including extensive necrosis in the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat, mixed cellular infiltrates, and acid-fast bacilli (AFB). In group 2 (n = 15), 5 animals developed progressive skin ulcers, 3 had evanescent papulo-nodules, 3 died shortly after inoculation of unknown causes, and 4 showed no signs of infection. Lesion samples from 3 animals with progressive ulcers were culture positive for AFB. Our findings indicate that nine-banded armadillos are susceptible to M. ulcerans and may develop cutaneous lesions that closely mimic Buruli ulcer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Medicine, US Army Medical Component, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001135:Armadillos / Q000382:microbiology*; D001706:Biopsy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission*; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000473:pathology*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000473:pathology