VNTR Profiling of M. ulcerans

Buruli ulcer, a necrotic skin disease caused Mycobacterium ulcerans is mainly prevalent in West Africa but cases have also been reported in other tropical parts of the world. There have also been reports of M. ulcerans evolving to survive in different environmental niches. Heterogeneity among M. ulcerans from different geographical location have not been clearly elucidated. Few studies seem to suggest genetic differences between M. ulcerans causing Buruli ulcer and those in the environment. This study aimed at identifying genetic differences between two BU endemic countries by identifying differences in their variable number of tandem repeats from both clinical and environmental M. ulcerans.