Whole-genome sequencing and epidemiological analysis do not provide evidence for cross-transmission of mycobacterium abscessus in a cohort of pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mycobacterium abscessus has emerged as a major pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and has been associated with poor clinical outcomes, particularly following lung transplant. We investigated the acquisition of this bacterium in a cohort of pediatric CF patients.

Methods

Demographic and patient location data were used to uncover epidemiological links between patients with genetically related strains of M. abscessus that had been previously typed by variable-number tandem repeat profiling. Whole-genome sequencing was applied to 27 M. abscessus isolates from the 20 patients in this cohort to provide definitive data on the genetic relatedness of strains.

Results

Whole-genome sequencing data demonstrated that M. abscessus isolates from 16 patients were un

SUBMITTER: Harris KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4357290 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature