Scientists recently found out that some mosquitoes in Australia may carry flesh-eating bacteria from possums.

Mycobacterium ulcerans, which causes the disfiguring skin condition Buruli ulcer, is common in many parts of Australia and Africa. Australian possums, especially the common ringtail, develop sores and shed the bacteria in their feces.

Experts have long thought that contact between sick possums and mosquitoes may contribute to the spread of the bacterium to humans, Science News reported. Health authorities find it challenging to manage the spread of Mycobacterium ulcerans since there isn't a clear connection between possums, mosquitoes, and human infection. However, new studies in southeast Australia have provided further information on this association.

At the ASM Microbe 2023 conference, molecular microbiologist Timothy Stinear reported that a few mosquitoes have lately taken in on possums and humans. Additionally, genetic studies by Stinear and his colleagues, described in a preliminary paper on bioRxiv.org, showed that M. ulcerans bacteria from possums, mosquitoes, and people have the same DNA, which supports the transmission cycle between these three species.

Jennifer Guthrie, a microbiologist, and epidemiologist at Western University in Canada, called the findings "pretty compelling" evidence of mosquitoes spreading the illness in Australia.

How Does It Spread?

The sluggish development of M. ulcerans, which delays the start of symptoms in people by two to nine months, makes it difficult to pinpoint the transmission of Buruli ulcers. Nevertheless, Stinear and his colleagues managed to trap nearly 72,000 mosquitoes from Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula, where the illness is common.

Most of the 18,000 people tested for M. ulcerans belonged to the type of day-biting mosquito known as Aedes notoscriptus. Thirteen mosquitoes of this species recently consumed a ringtail possum and a human. Additionally, the researchers identified places where bacteria-contaminated possum feces, infected mosquitoes, and human cases of Buruli ulcer coincided. Although the specific method is unknown, M. ulcerans is transmitted from animals to people via mosquitoes.

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One theory is that A. notoscriptus mosquitoes that feed on possum ulcers physically transfer the bacterium. However, The researchers noted that other mosquito species fed on possums did not pick up Mycobacterium ulcerans.

Another possibility is that the possum feces that sometimes find their way into the tiny artificial containers that A. notoscriptus like to use for laying eggs might pollute the water and harm the developing insects.

Facts About Buruli Ulcer

M. ulcerans is a bacterium that produces a toxin that leads to the disease known as Buruli ulcer, which causes skin damage. Untreated, the disease may impede long-term. The microorganisms are related to leprosy and TB, according to the World Health Organization.

A common first symptom of the infection is painless edema, induration, or inflammation on the face, arms, or legs.  Within four weeks, ulceration may develop even when there is no pain or fever. Deformities may also be caused by conditions that damage the bone.

Surgery and antibiotics are often used in the treatment of Buruli ulcers. Skin loss and damage may be reduced with early diagnosis and rapid treatment. People with worrisome skin lesions in Buruli ulcer-endemic regions should contact a doctor immediately, per an Ecomist article.

There are no first-line treatments to prevent Buruli ulcers at this time. The immunization against Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) may provide just a minimal level of protection.

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