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Abstract

Grant Number:	1R01TW007550-01
Project Title:	Ecological relationships of Mycobacterium Infection

PI Information:	Name	Email	Title
	MERRITT, RICHARD W.	merrittr@msu.edu

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection is commonly called Buruli ulcer, a rapidly emerging skin disease that is often disfiguring and causes severe and lasting morbidity in communities of developing nations. The mode of transmission is not known but is thought to be associated with ecologically disturbed aquatic habitats. Outbreaks of BU are nearly always associated with slow-flowing aquatic habitats, which many times are affected by, or created from; human-made changes to the landscape. The proposed interdisciplinary study will take a novel approach to examining the spatial and temporal patterns of human environmental disturbance on the ecology of aquatic food webs, and model how these changes interact with the etiologic agent responsible for an emerging mycobacterial disease. The data will be synthesized to predict ecological relationships that contribute to the emergence of a bacterial pathogen, making a substantial contribution to our understanding of broader patterns in disease ecology. We propose to determine landscape factors that influence aquatic food web structure and M. ulcerans distribution within and among aquatic habitats of Ghana, Africa. By integrating GIS and remote sensing technologies with established ecological sampling and assessment techniques and molecular diagnostic tools (PCR) we will determine the ecological distribution and potential factors influencing environmental conditions conducive for M. ulcerans occurrence and distribution at 3 hierarchical spatial scales: landscape, habitat and community. Using this multi-scale, multidisciplinary approach we will provide data and generate predictive models to enhance the scientific understanding necessary for the design, implementation, and evaluation of future and existing Buruli ulcer control programs. The collaborative project will also provide opportunities for data dissemination and professional research networks with other countries in West Africa, such as Benin and Cote d'lvoire, and worldwide through annual meetings of the World Health Organization Buruli Ulcer Initiative.

Public Health Relevance:
This Public Health Relevance is not available.

Thesaurus Terms:
Mycobacterium, bacterial disease, communicable disease transmission, ecosystem, emerging infectious disease, human ecology, skin infection, skin ulcer, water environment
Africa, human data, polymerase chain reaction

Institution:	MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
	301 Administration Bldg
	EAST LANSING, MI 48824
Fiscal Year:	2005
Department:	ENTOMOLOGY
Project Start:	26-SEP-2005
Project End:	30-JUN-2010
ICD:	FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER
IRG:	ZRG1

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