Recurrence due to relapse or reinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a whole-genome sequencing approach in a large, population-based cohort with a high HIV infection prevalence and active follow-up.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recurrent tuberculosis is a major health burden and may be due to relapse with the original strain or reinfection with a new strain.

Methods

In a population-based study in northern Malawi, patients with tuberculosis diagnosed from 1996 to 2010 were actively followed after the end of treatment. Whole-genome sequencing with approximately 100-fold coverage was performed on all available cultures. Results of IS6110 restriction fragment-length polymorphism analyses were available for cultures performed up to 2008.

Results

Based on our data, a difference of ≤10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was used to define relapse, and a difference of >100 SNPs was used to define reinfection. There was no evidence of mixed infections among those classified as reinfect

SUBMITTER: Guerra-Assuncao JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4354982 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature