title: Clusters of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases, Europe.
abstract: Molecular surveillance of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) was implemented in Europe as case reporting in 2005. For all new MDR TB cases detected from January 2003 through June 2007, countries reported case-based epidemiologic data and DNA fingerprint patterns of MDR TB strains when available. International clusters were detected and analyzed. From 2003 through mid-2007 in Europe, 2,494 cases of MDR TB were reported from 24 European countries. Epidemiologic and molecular data were linked for 593 (39%) cases, and 672 insertion sequence 6110 DNA fingerprint patterns were reported from 19 countries. Of these patterns, 288 (43%) belonged to 18 European clusters; 7 clusters (242/288 cases, 84%) were characterized by strains of the Beijing genotype family, including the largest cluster (175/288 cases, 61%). Both clustering and the Beijing genotype were associated with strains originating in eastern European countries. Molecular cluster detection contributes to identification of transmission profile, risk factors, and control measures.
authors.affiliation: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden. isabelle.devaux@ecdc.europa.eu
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Devaux
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: Herre
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heersma
authors.forename: Dick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Soolingen
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012307:Risk Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial