Genotypic analysis of Mycobacterium leprae isolates from Japan and other Asian countries reveals a global transmission pattern of leprosy.
The genotype of single-nucleotide polymorphism type 3, CTC, at positions 14676, 164275, and 2935685, along with four copies of 6 bp repeats in the rpoT gene, was predominant for isolates originating in the Japanese mainland. Type 1, CGA, type 2, CTA, and type 3 were detected from Korea, Indonesia, and Myanmar. No isolates with four copies of 6 bp were detected from Myanmar, Okinawa, and Japanese Brazilian patients. Type 4, TTC, with three copies of 6 bp, was detected only from Japanese Brazilians. The results indicate that infection occurred in Brazil and the disease developed later in Japan.
Matsuoka
Masanori
M
Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. matsuoka@nih.go.jp
Roa
Rocio Ivette Lopez
RI
Budiawan
Teky
T
Kyaw
Kyaw
K
Chae
Gue-Tae
GT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007918:Leprosy / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008875:Middle Aged; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000235:genetics
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D012808:Sigma Factor; C414706:rpoT protein, Mycobacterium leprae