title: RFLP clusters of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from the Indian Ocean Region: local and South Asian characteristics.
abstract: This is the first study describing the genetic polymorphism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in the Indian Ocean Region. Using IS6110 RFLP analysis, 475 M. tuberculosis isolates from Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Mozambique and La Reunion were compared. Of the 332 IS6110 profiles found, 43 were shared by clusters containing 2-65 strains. Six clusters were common to at least two countries. Of 52 families of strains with similar IS6110 profiles, 10 were common to at least two countries. Interestingly, another characteristic was the frequency (16.8%) of IS6110 single-copy strains. These strains could be distinguished using the DR marker. This preliminary evaluation suggests genetic similarity between the strains of the Indian Ocean Region. However, additional markers would be useful for epidemiological studies and to assess the ancient transmission of strains between countries of this region.
authors: Unité des Mycobactéries, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar. vrasolof@pasteur.mg
authors: Voahangy Rasolofo
authors: VR
authors: Razanamparany
authors: Herimanana H
authors: HH
authors: Ramarokoto
authors: Elie J
authors: EJ
authors: Vololonirina
authors: Tiana
authors: T
authors: Rasolonavalona
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Michault
authors: Naidu
authors: N
authors: Pyndiah
authors: Rajbunsing
authors: R
authors: Seenundun
authors: Per
authors: P
authors: Sandven
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: Chanteau
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D019156:Indian Ocean; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial