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Patterson B, Dinkele R, Gessner S, Koch A, Hoosen Z, January V, Leonard B, McKerry A, Seldon R, Vazi A, Hermans S, Cobelens F, Warner DF, Wood R. Aerosolization of viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli by tuberculosis clinic attendees independent of sputum-Xpert Ultra status. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314813121. [PMID: 38470917 PMCID: PMC10962937 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314813121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Potential Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission during different pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease states is poorly understood. We quantified viable aerosolized Mtb from TB clinic attendees following diagnosis and through six months' follow-up thereafter. Presumptive TB patients (n=102) were classified by laboratory, radiological, and clinical features into Group A: Sputum-Xpert Ultra-positive TB (n=52), Group B: Sputum-Xpert Ultra-negative TB (n=20), or Group C: TB undiagnosed (n=30). All groups were assessed for Mtb bioaerosol release at baseline, and subsequently at 2 wk, 2 mo, and 6 mo. Groups A and B were notified to the national TB program and received standard anti-TB chemotherapy; Mtb was isolated from 92% and 90% at presentation, 87% and 74% at 2 wk, 54% and 44% at 2 mo and 32% and 20% at 6 mo, respectively. Surprisingly, similar numbers were detected in Group C not initiating TB treatment: 93%, 70%, 48% and 22% at the same timepoints. A temporal association was observed between Mtb bioaerosol release and TB symptoms in all three groups. Persistence of Mtb bioaerosol positivity was observed in ~30% of participants irrespective of TB chemotherapy. Captured Mtb bacilli were predominantly acid-fast stain-negative and poorly culturable; however, three bioaerosol samples yielded sufficient biomass following culture for whole-genome sequencing, revealing two different Mtb lineages. Detection of viable aerosolized Mtb in clinic attendees, independent of TB diagnosis, suggests that unidentified Mtb transmitters might contribute a significant attributable proportion of community exposure. Additional longitudinal studies with sputum culture-positive and -negative control participants are required to investigate this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Patterson
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam1105, The Netherlands
| | - Ryan Dinkele
- South African Medical Research Council, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit & Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
| | - Sophia Gessner
- South African Medical Research Council, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit & Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
| | - Anastasia Koch
- South African Medical Research Council, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit & Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
| | - Zeenat Hoosen
- Aerobiology and TB Research Unit, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town7975, South Africa
| | - Vanessa January
- Aerobiology and TB Research Unit, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town7975, South Africa
| | - Bryan Leonard
- Aerobiology and TB Research Unit, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town7975, South Africa
| | - Andrea McKerry
- Aerobiology and TB Research Unit, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town7975, South Africa
| | - Ronnett Seldon
- Aerobiology and TB Research Unit, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town7975, South Africa
| | - Andiswa Vazi
- Aerobiology and TB Research Unit, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town7975, South Africa
| | - Sabine Hermans
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam1105, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Cobelens
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam1105, The Netherlands
| | - Digby F. Warner
- South African Medical Research Council, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit & Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
| | - Robin Wood
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town7925, South Africa
- Aerobiology and TB Research Unit, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town7975, South Africa
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Gwin CM, Gupta KR, Lu Y, Shao L, Rego EH. Spatial segregation and aging of metabolic processes underlie phenotypic heterogeneity in mycobacteria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.01.569614. [PMID: 38076906 PMCID: PMC10705497 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.01.569614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Individual cells within clonal populations of mycobacteria vary in size, growth rate, and antibiotic susceptibility. Heterogeneity is, in part, determined by LamA, a protein found exclusively in mycobacteria. LamA localizes to sites of new cell wall synthesis where it recruits proteins important for polar growth and establishing asymmetry. Here, we report that in addition to this function, LamA interacts with complexes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) at a subcellular location distinct from cell wall synthesis. Importantly, heterogeneity depends on a unique extension of the mycobacterial ATP synthase, and LamA mediates the coupling between ATP production and cell growth in single cells. Strikingly, as single cells age, concentrations of proteins important for oxidative phosphorylation become less abundant, and older cells rely less on oxidative phosphorylation for growth. Together, our data reveal that central metabolism is spatially organized within a single mycobacterium and varies within a genetically identical population of mycobacteria. Designing therapeutic regimens to account for this heterogeneity may help to treat mycobacterial infections faster and more completely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celena M. Gwin
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519
| | - Kuldeepkumar R. Gupta
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519
| | - Lin Shao
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519
| | - E. Hesper Rego
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519
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