DISTRIBUTION OF MYCOBACTERJUM ULCERANSTHROUGHOUT AQUATIC HABITATS OF SOUTHERN LOUISIANA
Document Type
Presentation
Start Date
22-10-2010 3:00 PM
End Date
22-10-2010 4:30 PM
Description
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gather baseline data on the ecology of Mycobacterium u/cerans strains in aquatic habitats of South Louisiana. M. u/cerans is a recently evolved pathogenic mycobacterium that produces an immunosuppressive toxin known as mycolactone. Strains of M. ulcerans have been identified as the causative agent in isolated outbreaks of debilitating skin ulcers in human and fish populations worldwide. The natural habitat for M. ulcerans appears to be aquatic environments within areas containihg tropical and sub-tropical climates. Although human disease has not beeh reported in the United States, a strain of M. u/cerans is responsible for outbreaks of dermal ulcers affecting striped bass in Chesapeake Bay. We have observed similar lesions on fish caught in coastal marshes of Southeast Louisiana. We hypothesize that M. u/cerans is present in aquatic environments throughout South Louisiana, and is responsible for piscine disease. Data collected from this study will lead to a better understanding of M. u/cerans ecology and its role in disease.
Methods: Water, aquatic vegetation and specimens from the skin of healthy and diseased fish have been collected from habitats throughout South Louisiana as part of a seasonal and biogeographical survey of mycobacteria. DNA is extracted from each specimen and the presence of M. ulcerans is assessed using PCR and genetic sequence analysis.
Results: Genetic sequences specific to the M. u/cerans and mycolactone toxin have been identified in water samples and on aquatic vegetation specimens collected in South Louisiana.
Conclusion: Strains of M. u/cerans are present in aquatic environments of South Louisiana.
Recommended Citation
Hennigan, Caroline and Ferris, Michael J., "DISTRIBUTION OF MYCOBACTERJUM ULCERANSTHROUGHOUT AQUATIC HABITATS OF SOUTHERN LOUISIANA" (2010). Dr. Joseph M. Moerschbaecher, III Graduate Research Day. 9.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/grad_rs/2010/poster2/9
DISTRIBUTION OF MYCOBACTERJUM ULCERANSTHROUGHOUT AQUATIC HABITATS OF SOUTHERN LOUISIANA
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gather baseline data on the ecology of Mycobacterium u/cerans strains in aquatic habitats of South Louisiana. M. u/cerans is a recently evolved pathogenic mycobacterium that produces an immunosuppressive toxin known as mycolactone. Strains of M. ulcerans have been identified as the causative agent in isolated outbreaks of debilitating skin ulcers in human and fish populations worldwide. The natural habitat for M. ulcerans appears to be aquatic environments within areas containihg tropical and sub-tropical climates. Although human disease has not beeh reported in the United States, a strain of M. u/cerans is responsible for outbreaks of dermal ulcers affecting striped bass in Chesapeake Bay. We have observed similar lesions on fish caught in coastal marshes of Southeast Louisiana. We hypothesize that M. u/cerans is present in aquatic environments throughout South Louisiana, and is responsible for piscine disease. Data collected from this study will lead to a better understanding of M. u/cerans ecology and its role in disease.
Methods: Water, aquatic vegetation and specimens from the skin of healthy and diseased fish have been collected from habitats throughout South Louisiana as part of a seasonal and biogeographical survey of mycobacteria. DNA is extracted from each specimen and the presence of M. ulcerans is assessed using PCR and genetic sequence analysis.
Results: Genetic sequences specific to the M. u/cerans and mycolactone toxin have been identified in water samples and on aquatic vegetation specimens collected in South Louisiana.
Conclusion: Strains of M. u/cerans are present in aquatic environments of South Louisiana.
Comments
See abstract book page 53