scholarly journals Mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Implications for Using Whole-Genome Sequencing for Investigating Recent Tuberculosis Transmission

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin N. Nelson ◽  
Sarah Talarico ◽  
Shameer Poonja ◽  
Clinton J. McDaniel ◽  
Martin Cilnis ◽  
...  

Tuberculosis (TB) control programs use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) for detecting and investigating TB case clusters. Existence of few genomic differences between Mtb isolates might indicate TB cases are the result of recent transmission. However, the variable and sometimes long duration of latent infection, combined with uncertainty in the Mtb mutation rate during latency, can complicate interpretation of WGS results. To estimate the association between infection duration and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) accumulation in the Mtb genome, we first analyzed pairwise SNP differences among TB cases from Los Angeles County, California, with strong epidemiologic links. We found that SNP distance alone was insufficient for concluding that cases are linked through recent transmission. Second, we describe a well-characterized cluster of TB cases in California to illustrate the role of genomic data in conclusions regarding recent transmission. Longer presumed latent periods were inconsistently associated with larger SNP differences. Our analyses suggest that WGS alone cannot be used to definitively determine that a case is attributable to recent transmission. Methods for integrating clinical, epidemiologic, and genomic data can guide conclusions regarding the likelihood of recent transmission, providing local public health practitioners with better tools for monitoring and investigating TB transmission.

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Saelens ◽  
Dalia Lau-Bonilla ◽  
Anneliese Moller ◽  
Ana M. Xet-Mull ◽  
Narda Medina ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Whole-genome sequencing has resulted in new insights into the phylogeography of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . However, only limited genomic data are available from M. tuberculosis strains in Guatemala. Here we report 16 complete genomes of clinical strains belonging to the Euro-American lineage 4, the most common lineage found in Guatemala and Central America.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzam Vaziri ◽  
Thomas A. Kohl ◽  
Hasan Ghajavand ◽  
Mansour Kargarpour Kamakoli ◽  
Matthias Merker ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains is a critical global health problem. Between 2014 and 2018, 606 MTBC strains were isolated from 13,892 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tehran, Iran, including 16 (2.6%) MDR-TB cases. A combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods (whole-genome sequencing) was employed for the identification of additional drug resistances and strain-to-strain genetic distances as a marker for recent transmission events. MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB cases were almost exclusively infected by lineage 2/Beijing strains (14/16, P < 0.001). We further showed that recent transmission and/or recent introduction of lineage 2/Beijing strains contribute to high XDR-TB rates among all MDR-TB cases and should be considered an emerging threat for TB control in Tehran. In addition, the extensive pre-existing drug resistance profiles of MDR/XDR strains will further challenge TB diagnostics in the region.


2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Guthrie ◽  
L. Strudwick ◽  
B. Roberts ◽  
M. Allen ◽  
J. McFadzen ◽  
...  

AbstractFew studies have used genomic epidemiology to understand tuberculosis (TB) transmission in rural and remote settings – regions often unique in history, geography and demographics. To improve our understanding of TB transmission dynamics in Yukon Territory (YT), a circumpolar Canadian territory, we conducted a retrospective analysis in which we combined epidemiological data collected through routine contact investigations with clinical and laboratory results. Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from all culture-confirmed TB cases in YT (2005–2014) were genotyped using 24-locus Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units-Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and compared to each other and to those from the neighbouring province of British Columbia (BC). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of genotypically clustered isolates revealed three sustained transmission networks within YT, two of which also involved BC isolates. While each network had distinct characteristics, all had at least one individual acting as the probable source of three or more culture-positive cases. Overall, WGS revealed that TB transmission dynamics in YT are distinct from patterns of spread in other, more remote Northern Canadian regions, and that the combination of WGS and epidemiological data can provide actionable information to local public health teams.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Joseph Yamweka Chizimu ◽  
Eddie Samuneti Solo ◽  
Precious Bwalya ◽  
Wimonrat Tanomsridachchai ◽  
Herman Chambaro ◽  
...  

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of death due to antimicrobial resistance. Mycobacterium tuberculosis CAS1-Kili strains that belong to lineage 3 (Central Asian Strain, CAS) were previously implicated in the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB in Lusaka, Zambia. Thus, we investigated recent transmission of those strains by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with Illumina MiSeq platform. Twelve MDR CAS1-Kili isolates clustered by traditional methods (MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping) were used. A total of 92% (11/12) of isolates belonged to a cluster (≤12 SNPs) while 50% (6/12) were involved in recent transmission events, as they differed by ≤5 SNPs. All the isolates had KatG Ser315Thr (isoniazid resistance), EmbB Met306 substitutions (ethambutol resistance) and several kinds of rpoB mutations (rifampicin resistance). WGS also revealed compensatory mutations including a novel deletion in embA regulatory region (−35A > del). Several strains shared the same combinations of drug-resistance-associated mutations indicating transmission of MDR strains. Zambian strains belonged to the same clade as Tanzanian, Malawian and European strains, although most of those were pan-drug-susceptible. Hence, complimentary use of WGS to traditional epidemiological methods provides an in-depth insight on transmission and drug resistance patterns which can guide targeted control measures to stop the spread of MDR-TB.


Tuberculosis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 434-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Luo ◽  
Chongguang Yang ◽  
Ying Peng ◽  
Liping Lu ◽  
Guomei Sun ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Yong Park ◽  
Gina Faraci ◽  
Pamela M. Ward ◽  
Jane F. Emerson ◽  
Ha Youn Lee

AbstractCOVID-19 global cases have climbed to more than 33 million, with over a million total deaths, as of September, 2020. Real-time massive SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing is key to tracking chains of transmission and estimating the origin of disease outbreaks. Yet no methods have simultaneously achieved high precision, simple workflow, and low cost. We developed a high-precision, cost-efficient SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing platform for COVID-19 genomic surveillance, CorvGenSurv (Coronavirus Genomic Surveillance). CorvGenSurv directly amplified viral RNA from COVID-19 patients’ Nasopharyngeal/Oropharyngeal (NP/OP) swab specimens and sequenced the SARS-CoV-2 whole genome in three segments by long-read, high-throughput sequencing. Sequencing of the whole genome in three segments significantly reduced sequencing data waste, thereby preventing dropouts in genome coverage. We validated the precision of our pipeline by both control genomic RNA sequencing and Sanger sequencing. We produced near full-length whole genome sequences from individuals who were COVID-19 test positive during April to June 2020 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. These sequences were highly diverse in the G clade with nine novel amino acid mutations including NSP12-M755I and ORF8-V117F. With its readily adaptable design, CorvGenSurv grants wide access to genomic surveillance, permitting immediate public health response to sudden threats.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Holly Etchegary ◽  
Daryl Pullman ◽  
Charlene Simmonds ◽  
Zoha Rabie ◽  
Proton Rahman

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The growth of global sequencing initiatives and commercial genomic test offerings suggests the public will increasingly be confronted with decisions about sequencing. Understanding public attitudes can assist efforts to integrate sequencing into care and inform the development of public education and outreach strategies. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A 48-item online survey was advertised on Facebook in Eastern Canada and hosted on SurveyMonkey in late 2018. The survey measured public interest in whole genome sequencing and attitudes toward various aspects of sequencing using vignettes, scaled, and open-ended items. <b><i>Results:</i></b> While interest in sequencing was high, critical attitudes were observed. In particular, items measuring features of patient control and choice regarding genomic data were strongly endorsed by respondents. Majority wanted to specify upfront how their data could be used, retain the ability to withdraw their sample at a later date, sign a written consent form, and speak to a genetic counselor prior to sequencing. Concerns about privacy and unauthorized access to data were frequently observed. Education level was the sociodemographic variable most often related to attitude statements such that those with higher levels of education generally displayed more critical attitudes. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Attitudes identified here could be used to inform the development of implementation strategies for genomic medicine. Findings suggest health systems must address patient concerns about privacy, consent practices, and the strong desire to control what happens to their genomic data through public outreach and education. Specific oversight procedures and policies that are clearly communicated to the public will be required.


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