Genomic Epidemiology of Mycobacterium abscessus on the Island of Montreal Is Not Suggestive of Health Care-Associated Person-to-Person Transmission.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC), an opportunistic nontuberculous mycobacteria, can lead to poor clinical outcomes in pulmonary infections. Conflicting data exist on person-to-person transmission of MABC within and across health care facilities. To investigate further, a comprehensive retrospective study across 5 health care institutions on the Island of Montréal was undertaken.

Methods

We analyzed the genomes of 221 MABC isolates obtained from 115 individuals (2010-2018) to identify possible links. Genetic similarity, defined as ≤25 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), was investigated through a blinded epidemiological inquiry.

Results

Bioinformatics analyses identified 28 sequence types, including globally observed dominant circulating clones (DC

SUBMITTER: Olawoye IB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11841644 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature