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10-Minute Paper

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

MUVE: Vector and Pathogen Surveillance - Insects

The role of insects in the transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans: Null and alternative hypotheses

Sunday, November 5, 2023
2:24 PM – 2:36 PM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Potomac 3-4
In-Person

    Presenting Author(s)

  • MB

    Mark Benbow

    Professor
    Michigan State University
    East Lansing, Michigan

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JR

    Joseph Receveur

    Michigan State University
    Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania

  • Jennifer Pechal

    Assistant Professor
    Michigan State University
    East Lansing, Michigan

  • SP

    Sophie Picq

    Postdoctoral Associate
    Michigan State University
    East Lansing, Michigan

  • MD

    Magdalene Dogbe

    Mississippi State University
    Starkville, Mississippi

  • HJ

    Heather Jordan

    Associate Professor
    Mississippi State University
    Starkville, Mississippi

  • KF

    Kayla Fast

    Mississippi State University
    Starkville, Mississippi

  • MS

    Michael Sandel

    Assistant Professor
    Mississippi State University
    Starkville, Mississippi

  • CC

    Christine Chevillon

    Université de Montpellier
    Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

  • JG

    Jean-François Guegan

    Université de Montpellier
    Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Buruli ulcer (BU) disease is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU), an environmental mycobacterium related to pathogens of tuberculosis, leprosy and other mycolactone producing mycobacteria (MPM). Mycolactone is a polyketide-derived macrolide that is the toxin responsible for BU disease presentation; it is also a presumptive indication of MU and other MPM from environmental samples. The mode of MU transmission remains unresolved but mosquitoes and some biting aquatic insects (i.e., Naucoridae and Belostomatidae) have been implicated, while other insects, amphibians and fish are thought to act as reservoirs. To better understand transmission of MU in different areas of the world, we combined a systematic literature review, laboratory studies and new field data to critically examine and test a null hypothesis against an alternative insect vector hypothesis. Using Hill’s criteria and causal inference, information from the literature, unpublished lab studies and both published and unpublished field data do not provide sufficient evidence to reject a null hypothesis that MU transmission results from routine contact with certain environments that have high MU population abundances in biotic and abiotic reservoirs. While studies from Australia support a mosquito vector, we do not know of any precedent, or evolutionary relationship, of a confirmed mosquito species transmitting a known bacterial pathogen. Additional data suggests that biting water bugs and mosquito larvae do not harbor MU in ways that are different from other aquatic macroinvertebrates, suggesting they may simply be sentinels of MU in the environment. Testing null hypotheses in pathogen transmission is important for future potential pathogen emergences.