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Mycolactone
Mycolactone is a polyketide-derived macrolide produced and secreted by a group of very closely related pathogenic Mycobacteria species that have been assigned a variety of names including, ''Mycobacterium_ulcerans, M. ulcerans'', ''M. liflandii'' (an unofficial designation), ''M. pseudoshottsii'', and some strains of ''M. marinum''. These mycobacteria are collectively referred to as mycolactone-producing mycobacteria or MPM. In humans, mycolactone is the toxin responsible for Buruli ulcers, doing so by damaging tissues and inhibiting the immune response. Variants Five distinct, naturally occurring mycolactone structural variants have been described so far: * Mycolactone A/B (''M. ulcerans'' from Africa, Malaysia, Japan * Mycolactone C (''M. ulcerans'' from Australia) * Mycolactone D (''M. ulcerans'' from China) * Mycolactone E (''M. liflandii'' from Sub-Saharan Africa) * Mycolactone F (''M. pseudoshottsii'' and ''M. marinum'' from around the world) Biosynthesis Mycolactone cons ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Buruli Ulcer
Buruli ulcer () is an infectious disease characterized by the development of painless open wounds. The disease is limited to certain areas of the world, most cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa and Australia. The first sign of infection is a small painless nodule or area of swelling, typically on the arms or legs. The nodule grows larger over days to weeks, eventually forming an open ulcer. Deep ulcers can cause scarring of muscles and tendons, resulting in permanent disability. Buruli ulcer is caused by skin infection with bacteria called ''Mycobacterium ulcerans''. The mechanism by which ''M. ulcerans'' is transmitted from the environment to humans is not known, but may involve the bite of an aquatic insect or the infection of open wounds. Once in the skin, ''M. ulcerans'' grows and releases the toxin mycolactone, which blocks the normal function of cells, resulting in tissue death and immune suppression at the site of the ulcer. The World Health Organization (WHO ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
