Genomic Characterization of Mycobacterium leprae to Explore Transmission Patterns Identifies New Subtype in Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, is an unculturable bacterium with a considerably reduced genome (3.27 Mb) compared to homologues mycobacteria from the same ancestry. In 2001, the genome of M. leprae was first described and subsequently four genotypes (1-4) and 16 subtypes (A-P) were identified providing means to study global transmission patterns for leprosy. In order to understand the role of asymptomatic carriers we investigated M. leprae carriage as well as infection in leprosy patients (n = 60) and healthy household contacts (HHC; n = 250) from Bangladesh using molecular detection of the bacterial element RLEP in nasal swabs (NS) and slit skin smears (SSS). In parallel, to study M. leprae genotype distribution in Banglades

SUBMITTER: Tio-Coma M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7308449 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature