Researchers have recently unveiled the long-standing mystery surrounding the transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the bacterium responsible for causing Buruli ulcer, a flesh-eating and ulcer-triggering disease. The breakthrough discovery points to mosquitoes as the key carriers of this debilitating microbe, shedding light on an 80-year-old puzzle that has confounded scientists.
First identified in Australia in the 1930s, Buruli ulcer has since been documented in over 30 countries worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. While cases in the United States are rare, occasional reports have emerged in returning travelers from affected areas. In 2021 alone, there were 1,370 new cases globally, according to data from the World Health Organization.
The disease, characterized by the destruction of skin and soft tissue leading to slow-healing ulcers, has posed challenges in controlling outbreaks due to limited understanding of its transmission route. However, a recent study published in Nature Microbiology has provided clear evidence linking mosquitoes to the spread of M. ulcerans to humans.
Tim Stinear, co-senior study author and director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Mycobacterium ulcerans, emphasized the significance of this discovery in enabling the implementation of effective mosquito control measures to curb Buruli ulcer infections.
While mosquitoes are notorious for transmitting viral and parasitic diseases such as dengue, West Nile fever, and malaria, the role of these insects in spreading bacterial infections like Buruli ulcer is unprecedented. The study’s focus on the Aedes notoscriptus mosquito species in southeastern Australia, a region with a high incidence of Buruli ulcer cases, underscores the relevance of mosquito control strategies in disease prevention.
The research team’s extensive screening of mosquitoes and analysis of bacterial samples from possums, a known reservoir of M. ulcerans, revealed a genetic match between the bacterium in both animals and humans. Moreover, the mapping of human infections coincided with areas where mosquitoes carrying the bacterium were found, confirming their role in transmitting the disease.
The findings not only contribute to understanding the disease dynamics in Australia but also offer insights into potential interventions for reducing Buruli ulcer cases globally. By combining mosquito surveillance, bacterial screening, and public health messaging to prevent mosquito bites, authorities can take proactive steps to mitigate the spread of this debilitating disease.