Whole genome sequencing-based analysis of tuberculosis (TB) in migrants: rapid tools for cross-border surveillance and to distinguish between recent transmission in the host country and new importations.

ABSTRACT: BackgroundThe analysis of transmission of tuberculosis (TB) is challenging in areas with a large migrant population. Standard genotyping may fail to differentiate transmission within the host country from new importations, which is key from an epidemiological perspective.AimTo propose a new strategy to simplify and optimise cross-border surveillance of tuberculosis and to distinguish between recent transmission in the host country and new importationsMethodsWe selected 10 clusters, defined by 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR), from a population in Spain rich in migrants from eastern Europe, north Africa and west Africa and reanalysed 66 isolates by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). A multiplex-allele-specific PCR was designed to targ

SUBMITTER: Abascal E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6351995 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature