title: What does detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA in the margin of an excised Buruli ulcer lesion tell us?
abstract: We determined by real-time PCR the distribution of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA in the excised lesion of a Buruli ulcer patient. A new lesion developed adjacent to the site of excision in the patient. The excised margin around the primary lesion contained a small amount of mycobacterial DNA in the area where the secondary lesion developed. These results suggest that a relatively small number of infiltrating mycobacteria can lead to the development of a recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Immunology, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rondini
authors.forename: Ernestina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mensah-Quainoo
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Junghanss
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pluschke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial