Molecular epidemiology: a tool for understanding control of tuberculosis transmission.
One of the primary goals of tuberculosis control programs is to interrupt the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The development of several genotyping tools has allowed tracking of strains of M. tuberculosis as they spread through communities. Studies that have combined the use of genotyping with conventional epidemiologic investigation have increased the understanding of the transmission and pathogenesis of tuberculosis. This article reviews some of the lessons learned using these new epidemiologic tools.
Daley
Charles L
CL
Division of Mycobacterial and Respiratory Infections, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA. daleyc@njc.org
D000818:Animals; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology / Q000379:methods*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*