A landscape of genomic alterations at the root of a near-untreatable tuberculosis epidemic.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Atypical Beijing genotype Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains are widespread in South Africa and have acquired resistance to up to 13 drugs on multiple occasions. It is puzzling that these strains have retained fitness and transmissibility despite the potential fitness cost associated with drug resistance mutations. METHODS:We conducted Illumina sequencing of 211 Beijing genotype M. tuberculosis isolates to facilitate the detection of genomic features that may promote acquisition of drug resistance and restore fitness in highly resistant atypical Beijing forms. Phylogenetic and comparative genomic analysis was done to determine changes that are unique to the resistant strains that also transmit well. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination for streptomycin and bedaqu

SUBMITTER: Klopper M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6998097 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature