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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
A complex scenario of tuberculosis transmission is revealed through genetic and epidemiological surveys in Porto
BMC Infectious Diseases, Volume 18, No. 1, Article 53, Year 2018
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Description
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) incidence is decreasing worldwide and eradication is becoming plausible. In low-incidence countries, intervention on migrant populations is considered one of the most important strategies for elimination. However, such measures are inappropriate in European areas where TB is largely endemic, such as Porto in Portugal. We aim to understand transmission chains in Porto through a genetic characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and through a detailed epidemiological evaluation of cases. Methods: We genotyped the M. tuberculosis strains using the MIRU-VNTR system. We performed an evolutionary reconstruction of the genotypes with median networks, used in this context for the first time. TB cases from a period of two years were evaluated combining genetic, epidemiological and georeferencing information. Results: The data reveal a unique complex scenario in Porto where the autochthonous population acts as a genetic reservoir of M. tuberculosis diversity with discreet episodes of transmission, mostly undetected using classical epidemiology alone. Conclusions: Although control policies have been successful in decreasing incidence in Porto, the discerned complexity suggests that, for elimination to be a realistic goal, strategies need to be adjusted and coupled with a continuous genetic characterization of strains and detailed epidemiological evaluation, in order to successfully identify and interrupt transmission chains. © 2018 The Author(s).
Authors & Co-Authors
Rito, Teresa S.
Portugal, Braga
Universidade do Minho
Oliveira, Olena
Portugal, Porto
Universidade do Porto
Morais, Clara
Unknown Affiliation
Santos, Catarina Lopes
Portugal, Braga
Universidade do Minho
Duarte, R. A.B.
Portugal, Porto
Universidade do Porto
Portugal, Vila Nova de Gaia
Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia
Correia-Neves, M.
Portugal, Braga
Universidade do Minho
Statistics
Citations: 8
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/s12879-018-2968-1
ISSN:
14712334
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study