Unsuspected and extensive transmission of a drug-susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain.
BACKGROUND
A large and unsuspected tuberculosis outbreak involving 18.7% of the total of the tuberculosis cases studied, was detected in a population-based molecular epidemiological study performed in Zaragoza (Spain) from 2001 to 2004.


METHODS
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug-susceptible strain, named MTZ strain, was genetically characterized by IS6110-RFLP, Spoligotyping and by MIRU-VNTR typing and the genetic patterns obtained were compared with those included in international databases. The characteristics of the affected patients, in an attempt to understand why the MTZ strain was so highly transmitted among the population were also analyzed.


RESULTS
The genetic profile of the MTZ strain was rare and not widely distributed in our area or elsewhere. The patients affected did not show any notable risk factor for TB.


CONCLUSIONS
The M. tuberculosis strain MTZ, might have particular transmissibility or virulence properties, and we believe that greater focus should be placed on stopping its widespread dissemination.
López-Calleja
Ana Isabel
AI
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Paseo Isabel la Católica, Zaragoza, Spain. ailopezc@aragon.es
Gavín
Patricia
P
Lezcano
Ma Antonia
MA
Vitoria
Ma Asunción
MA
Iglesias
Ma José
MJ
Guimbao
Joaquín
J
Lázaro
Ma Angeles
MA
Rastogi
Nalin
N
Revillo
Ma José
MJ
Martín
Carlos
C
Samper
Sofia
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*
D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D004269:DNA, Bacterial