title: SNP genotypes of Mycobacterium leprae isolates in Thailand and their combination with rpoT and TTC genotyping for analysis of leprosy distribution and transmission.
abstract: Based on the discovery of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Mycobacterium  leprae, it has been previously reported that there are four major SNP types associated with  different geographic regions around the world. Another typing system for global differentiation of  M. leprae is the analysis of the variable number of short tandem repeats within the rpoT gene. To  expand the analysis of geographic distribution of M. leprae, classified by SNP and rpoT gene  polymorphisms, we studied 85 clinical isolates from Thai patients and compared the findings with  those reported from Asian isolates. SNP genotyping by PCR amplification and sequencing revealed  that all strains like those in Myanmar were SNP type 1 and 3, with the former being predominant,  while in Japan, Korea, and Indonesia, the SNP type 3 was found to be more frequent. The pattern of  M. leprae distribution in Thailand and Myanmar is quite similar, except that SNP type 2 was not  found in Thailand. In addition, the 3-copy hexamer genotype in the rpoT gene is shared among the  isolates from these two neighboring countries. On the basis of these two markers, we postulate that  M. leprae in leprosy patients from Myanmar and Thailand has a common historical origin. Further  differentiation among Thai isolates was possible by assessing copy numbers of the TTC sequence, a  more polymorphic microsatellite locus.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanond Road, Nonthaburi, Thailand. benjapsk＠health.moph.go.th
authors.forename: Benjawan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Phetsuksiri
authors.forename: Sopa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srisungngam
authors.forename: Janisara
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rudeeaneksin
authors.forename: Supranee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bunchoo
authors.forename: Atchariya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lukebua
authors.forename: Ruch
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wongtrungkapun
authors.forename: Soontara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paitoon
authors.forename: Rama Murthy
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Sakamuri
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Varalakshmi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vissa
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D056426:Genetic Loci; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D007918:Leprosy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012808:Sigma Factor; C414706:rpoT protein, Mycobacterium leprae