Buruli ulcer part one: 80 year-long transmission mystery solved

The debilitating ‘flesh-eating’ infection that is Buruli ulcer has captivated Victorians in particular over the last 10 years or so, due to its increasing incidence in the state. Mosquitoes have been considered likely to be involved in transmission of the bacteria, Mycobacterium ulcerans, conclusive evidence about how humans get infected has been elusive, until now.

University of Melbourne Professor Tim Stinear, molecular microbiologist and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Mycobacterium ulcerans at the Doherty Institute, explains the latest groundbreaking findings into the transmission of the neglected tropical skin disease.

Shownotes:

News article announcing findings: 80-year mystery solved: Mosquitoes spread flesh-eating Buruli ulcer

Peer-review article: Mee P, Buultjens A, et al. Mosquitoes provide a transmission route between possums and humans for Buruli ulcer in southeastern Australia. Nature Microbiology (2024). DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01553-1 

Article by research team: Mosquitoes can spread the flesh-eating Buruli ulcer. Here’s how you can protect yourself

WHO Collaborating Centre for Mycobacterium ulcerans website

Short video on how you can protect yourself and stop the spread of Buruli ulcer, featuring Professor Tim Stinear

Beating Buruli in Victoria project

Get in touch

Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au