Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.

<h4>Background</h4>Understanding the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is crucial for its control. MDR-TB in previously treated patients is generally attributed to the selection of drug resistant mutants during inadequate therapy rather than transmission o...

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Main Authors: Taane G Clark, Kim Mallard, Francesc Coll, Mark Preston, Samuel Assefa, David Harris, Sam Ogwang, Francis Mumbowa, Bruce Kirenga, Denise M O'Sullivan, Alphonse Okwera, Kathleen D Eisenach, Moses Joloba, Stephen D Bentley, Jerrold J Ellner, Julian Parkhill, Edward C Jones-López, Ruth McNerney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2013-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083012
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author Taane G Clark
Kim Mallard
Francesc Coll
Mark Preston
Samuel Assefa
David Harris
Sam Ogwang
Francis Mumbowa
Bruce Kirenga
Denise M O'Sullivan
Alphonse Okwera
Kathleen D Eisenach
Moses Joloba
Stephen D Bentley
Jerrold J Ellner
Julian Parkhill
Edward C Jones-López
Ruth McNerney
author_facet Taane G Clark
Kim Mallard
Francesc Coll
Mark Preston
Samuel Assefa
David Harris
Sam Ogwang
Francis Mumbowa
Bruce Kirenga
Denise M O'Sullivan
Alphonse Okwera
Kathleen D Eisenach
Moses Joloba
Stephen D Bentley
Jerrold J Ellner
Julian Parkhill
Edward C Jones-López
Ruth McNerney
author_sort Taane G Clark
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Understanding the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is crucial for its control. MDR-TB in previously treated patients is generally attributed to the selection of drug resistant mutants during inadequate therapy rather than transmission of a resistant strain. Traditional genotyping methods are not sufficient to distinguish strains in populations with a high burden of tuberculosis and it has previously been difficult to assess the degree of transmission in these settings. We have used whole genome analysis to investigate M. tuberculosis strains isolated from treatment experienced patients with MDR-TB in Uganda over a period of four years.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>We used high throughput genome sequencing technology to investigate small polymorphisms and large deletions in 51 Mycobacterium tuberculosis samples from 41 treatment-experienced TB patients attending a TB referral and treatment clinic in Kampala. This was a convenience sample representing 69% of MDR-TB cases identified over the four year period. Low polymorphism was observed in longitudinal samples from individual patients (2-15 SNPs). Clusters of samples with less than 50 SNPs variation were examined. Three clusters comprising a total of 8 patients were found with almost identical genetic profiles, including mutations predictive for resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid, suggesting transmission of MDR-TB. Two patients with previous drug susceptible disease were found to have acquired MDR strains, one of which shared its genotype with an isolate from another patient in the cohort.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Whole genome sequence analysis identified MDR-TB strains that were shared by more than one patient. The transmission of multidrug-resistant disease in this cohort of retreatment patients emphasises the importance of early detection and need for infection control. Consideration should be given to rapid testing for drug resistance in patients undergoing treatment to monitor the emergence of resistance and permit early intervention to avoid onward transmission.
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spelling doaj-art-c6d6b9e5e758445a928eb532cd7c4b0f2025-08-20T02:22:46ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032013-01-01812e8301210.1371/journal.pone.0083012Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.Taane G ClarkKim MallardFrancesc CollMark PrestonSamuel AssefaDavid HarrisSam OgwangFrancis MumbowaBruce KirengaDenise M O'SullivanAlphonse OkweraKathleen D EisenachMoses JolobaStephen D BentleyJerrold J EllnerJulian ParkhillEdward C Jones-LópezRuth McNerney<h4>Background</h4>Understanding the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is crucial for its control. MDR-TB in previously treated patients is generally attributed to the selection of drug resistant mutants during inadequate therapy rather than transmission of a resistant strain. Traditional genotyping methods are not sufficient to distinguish strains in populations with a high burden of tuberculosis and it has previously been difficult to assess the degree of transmission in these settings. We have used whole genome analysis to investigate M. tuberculosis strains isolated from treatment experienced patients with MDR-TB in Uganda over a period of four years.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>We used high throughput genome sequencing technology to investigate small polymorphisms and large deletions in 51 Mycobacterium tuberculosis samples from 41 treatment-experienced TB patients attending a TB referral and treatment clinic in Kampala. This was a convenience sample representing 69% of MDR-TB cases identified over the four year period. Low polymorphism was observed in longitudinal samples from individual patients (2-15 SNPs). Clusters of samples with less than 50 SNPs variation were examined. Three clusters comprising a total of 8 patients were found with almost identical genetic profiles, including mutations predictive for resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid, suggesting transmission of MDR-TB. Two patients with previous drug susceptible disease were found to have acquired MDR strains, one of which shared its genotype with an isolate from another patient in the cohort.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Whole genome sequence analysis identified MDR-TB strains that were shared by more than one patient. The transmission of multidrug-resistant disease in this cohort of retreatment patients emphasises the importance of early detection and need for infection control. Consideration should be given to rapid testing for drug resistance in patients undergoing treatment to monitor the emergence of resistance and permit early intervention to avoid onward transmission.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083012
spellingShingle Taane G Clark
Kim Mallard
Francesc Coll
Mark Preston
Samuel Assefa
David Harris
Sam Ogwang
Francis Mumbowa
Bruce Kirenga
Denise M O'Sullivan
Alphonse Okwera
Kathleen D Eisenach
Moses Joloba
Stephen D Bentley
Jerrold J Ellner
Julian Parkhill
Edward C Jones-López
Ruth McNerney
Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.
PLoS ONE
title Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.
title_full Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.
title_fullStr Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.
title_full_unstemmed Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.
title_short Elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing.
title_sort elucidating emergence and transmission of multidrug resistant tuberculosis in treatment experienced patients by whole genome sequencing
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083012
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