title: Molecular epidemiology of leprosy based on VNTR typing in Thailand.
abstract: Recently about 500 new cases of leprosy have been reported each year in Thailand. In addition to a steady rate of new case detection, Thailand is in Southeast Asia where leprosy is endemic in neighbouring countries; therefore, strain differentiation could be useful in tracing origins and routes of infection, and general leprosy surveillance. To identify suitable markers for differentiation of M. leprae strains in different global geographic regions and to determine the applicability of a systematic genotyping method for tracing leprosy transmission, variable nucleotide tandem repeats (VNTRs) of 14 loci were evaluated using DNA extracts from a total of 97 skin biopsies and slit skin smear samples. The alleles per locus ranged from 2-26 providing adequate strain differentiation. Microsatellite loci (GAA)21, (AT)17 are highly polymorphic followed by (GTA)9, (AC)8a, (AC)8b, and (AC)9. The minisatellites 6-7, 21-3 and 27-5 exhibited a limited number of alleles. The repeat of 23-3 showed no polymorphism. Overall, the strain types can be divided into two distinct Thai groups, according to the alleles at the (GGT)5 and 21-3 loci. However, there are no obvious geographical patterns of distribution of VNTR strain types. Closely matched VNTR profiles found in household members of two multi-case families suggested infection through a common source.
authors: Mycobacterial Laboratory, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.
authors: Sopa
authors: S
authors: Srisungnam
authors: Janisara
authors: J
authors: Rudeeaneksin
authors: Atchariya
authors: A
authors: Lukebua
authors: Sukanya
authors: S
authors: Wattanapokayakit
authors: Supanee
authors: S
authors: Pasadorn
authors: Krisada
authors: K
authors: Mahotarn
authors: Ajincholapan
authors: Rama Murthy
authors: RM
authors: Sakamuri
authors: Miyako
authors: M
authors: Kimura
authors: Patrick J
authors: PJ
authors: Brennan
authors: Benjawan
authors: B
authors: Phetsuksiri
authors: Varalakshmi
authors: V
authors: Vissa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D056006:Leprosy, Multibacillary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D056005:Leprosy, Paucibacillary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology / Q000379:methods; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000235:genetics*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial