title: The environmental pathogen Mycobacterium ulcerans grows in amphibian cells at low temperatures.
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.
authors.affiliation: Unité des Rickettsies CNRS UPRES A 6020, Faculté de Médecine, IFR 48, Université de la Méditerranée, 13385 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drancourt
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jarlier
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raoult
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013696:Temperature; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial