Development of highly organized lymphoid structures in Buruli ulcer lesions after treatment with rifampicin and streptomycin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Buruli ulcer caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans is an infection of the subcutaneous tissue leading to chronic necrotising skin ulcers. The pathogenesis is associated with the cytocidal and immunosuppressive activities of a macrolide toxin. Histopathological hallmark of progressing disease is a poor inflammatory response despite of clusters of extracellular bacilli. While traditionally wide excision of the infected tissue was the standard treatment, provisional WHO guidelines now recommend an eight week pre-treatment with streptomycin and rifampicin.

Methodology/principal findings

We conducted a detailed immunohistochemical analysis of tissue samples from Buruli patients who received antibiotic treatment. Cellular immune response along with bacterial load and distrib

SUBMITTER: Schutte D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2041817 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature