The BLMs4BU consortium showcased cutting-edge research and advancements in Buruli ulcer (BU) treatment.
Santiago Ramón García (Fundación ARAID/Universidad de Zaragoza) presented an update on the progress of the ongoing trial in Benin and the advantage of using model-based approaches to optimize antimicrobial combinations to enhance BU treatment, research performed in collaboration with the group of Prof. Oscar Della Pasqua at University Collegue London (UCL).
In addition, Emma Sáez López (Universidad de Zaragoza) presented preliminary results from a sub-study performed in lesions from BU patients, characterizing the clinical killing dynamics of both antibiotic treatments against M. ulcerans.
The 3rd International Mycobacterium ulcerans conference (IMUC-III) was hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for M. ulcerans in partnership with the Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia, from November 20 to 22 2024.
The conference was a potent gathering of Buruli ulcer experts from around the world. Knowledge on Buruli ulcer and M. ulcerans improves rapidly. However, many challenges still remain. The history of the disease was exhaustively reviewed and the current global situation was presented. Sessions on the reservoir and transmission, pathogenesis and host response, diagnostics, treatment and prevention were delivered to give an insight on the current landscape of the disease.