Molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosisin Taipei

Abstract

Background: The control of tuberculosis in densely populated cities is complicated by close human-to-human contacts and potential transmission of pathogens from multiple sources. We conducted a molecular epidemiologic analysis of 356 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from patients presenting pulmonary tuberculosis in metropolitan Taipei. Classical antibiogram studies and genetic characterization, using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing and spoligotyping, were applied after culture.

Genetic Diversity and Dynamic Distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates Causing Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Thailand

“…Using different molecular markers and population age groupings, previous observations from countries where vaccination is required, including Thailand (12,35), Vietnam (20,21,42), Taiwan (19), and China (15), have also revealed a higher frequency of M. tuberculosis genotype SCG2 strains causing TB in younger patients than in elderly patients. The association trend between EAI lineage strains (SCG1) and older patient age has also been reported in neighboring countries, including Vietnam (42).…”

“…In Asian countries such as China (15), Myanmar (16), Japan (17), South Korea (18), Taiwan (19), Thailand (6,11,12), and Vietnam (20,21), M. tuberculosis strains belonging to the BJ and EAI genotypes are predominant. In Europe and America, M. tuberculosis Haarlem (H), S, X, T, and Latin American and Mediterranean (LAM) genotypes, alternatively known as the Euro-American lineage, have been predominantly isolated from TB-positive patients.…”

Low Induction of Proinflammatory Cytokines Parallels Evolutionary Success of Modern Strains within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing Genotype

“…These so-called "modern" Beijing strains represent 65 to 95% of Beijing strains in most areas, including China (7), Russia (8), Taiwan (9), South Africa (10), Europe (7), and the United States (11). Modern Beijing strains were first named "typical" by the presence of a typical pattern of one or two copies of IS6110 in the NTF chromosomal region.…”

Population Structure Dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing Strains during Past Decades in Japan

“…Comparative studies of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis population structure have generated interest in understanding its epidemiological relevance to human disease (2,3,9,15,21). One of the most extensively studied clades with respect to host-pathogen compatibility is the Beijing family (5,7,8,16,23), which is highly prevalent in East Asia (26).…”