Molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in rural Matlab, Bangladesh

24 loci MIRU-VNTR analysis and pattern of drug resistance in pre-extensively drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in Bangladesh

Phylogenetic diversity and distinct phylogeographic distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) contribute to regional differences in drug resistance. The emergence of pre-extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (Pre-XDR-TB) becomes obstacles to achieve End TB strategy in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the strains of different lineages of MTB, their variations of distribution among Pre-XDR-TB cases and to observe the linkage of particular strains of MTB with drug resistance. A total of 33 Pre-XDR-TB isolates were enrolled in this study. All isolates were confirmed as MTB by MPT 64 antigen detection and genotyped by 24 loci Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit-Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) analysis. Drug resistance was detected by second line Line probe assay (LPA). Beijing was the predominant strain 16 (48.48%), followed by Delhi/CAS 5(15.15%), LAM 4 (12.12%) and Harlem 3(9.10%), EAI 2(6.06%), Cameroon 2(6.06%) and NEW-1 1(3.03%). There were 31 different genotypes consisting of 2 clusters and 29 singletons. All the clustered strains were belonged to Beijing lineage. Recent transmission occurred manly by Beijing strains, showed low transmission rate (12.1%). Of 33 isolates 30(90.90%) were Fluoroquinolones resistant, the mutations involved was Asp94Gly in gyr A MUT 3C gene 13(39.39%) in quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) followed by 11 (33.33%) in gyr A MUT 1. Three (9.10%) isolates showed resistant to injectable 2nd line drugs and all mutation occurs in G1484T of rrs MUT 2. Beijing lineage was predominant in treatment failure and relapse cases. Levofloxacin was resistant to all Pre-XDR-TB cases, but moxifloxacin showed low level resistance. QUB 26 was the most discriminatory locus (0.85) among 24 loci whereas MIRU 2 was the least (0.03). 24 loci MIRU-VNTR analysis shows high discriminatory index (0.71), found to be powerful tool for genotyping of Pre-XDR-TB, which is the first study in Bangladesh that enhanced the current TB control policy.

Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in Bangladesh

Although the number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) cases is high overall, a major gap exists in our understanding of the molecular characteristics and transmission dynamics of the MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates circulating in Bangladesh. The present study aims to characterize the MDR-TB isolates of Bangladesh and to investigate the mode of transmission. A total of 544 MDR-TB isolates were obtained from a nationwide drug-resistant TB surveillance study conducted between October 2011 and March 2017 covering all geographic divisions of Bangladesh. The isolates were characterized using TbD1 deletion analysis, spoligotyping, and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit–variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing. Deletion analysis showed that 440 (80.9%) isolates were the modern type, while the remainder were the ancestral type. The largest circulating lineage was the Beijing type, comprising 208 isolates (38.2%), followed by T, EAI, and LAM with 93 (17.1%), 58 (10.7%), and 52 (9.5%) isolates, respectively. Combined MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping analysis demonstrated that the majority of the clustered isolates were of the Beijing and T1 lineages. The overall rate of recent transmission was estimated at 33.8%. In conclusion, the MDR M. tuberculosis isolates circulating in Bangladesh are mostly of the modern virulent type. The Beijing and T lineages are the predominant types and most of the transmission of MDR-TB can be attributed to them. The findings also suggest that, along with the remarkable transmission, the emergence of MDR-TB in Bangladesh is largely due to acquired resistance. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and successful treatment will be crucial for controlling MDR-TB in Bangladesh.

IMPORTANCE Multidrug-resistant TB is considered to be the major threat to tuberculosis control activities worldwide, including in Bangladesh. Despite the fact that the number of MDR-TB cases is high, a major gap exists in our understanding of the molecular epidemiology of the MDR-TB isolates in Bangladesh. In our study, we characterized and classified the MDR-TB isolates circulating in Bangladesh and investigated their mode of transmission. Our results demonstrated that the MDR M. tuberculosis isolates circulating in Bangladesh are mostly of the modern virulent type. The Beijing and T lineages are the predominant types and are implicated in the majority of MDR-TB transmission. Our findings reveal that, along with the remarkable transmission, the emergence of MDR-TB in Bangladesh is largely due to acquired resistance, which may be due to nonadherence to treatment or inadequate treatment of TB patients. Rapid diagnosis and adherence to an appropriate treatment regimen are therefore crucial to controlling MDR-TB in Bangladesh.

Genetic diversity and characterization of M. tuberculosis isolates causing extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Bangladesh

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of death and Bangladesh ranks 7th among the highest TB burden countries. Though molecular epidemiological data for pulmonary TB (PTB) have previously been described in Bangladesh, data on the molecular characterization and clinical association with different lineages among extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) is lacking. The aim of the study was to investigate the molecular characterization and lineage distribution of M. tuberculosis isolates obtained from patients with EPTB in Bangladesh. Between November 2015 and March 2017, a total of 1,340 EPTB specimens including lymph node, pus, tissue, ascitic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, abscess wall, urine etc. were collected from four tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Among the specimens, 141 were found positive on solid culture. Molecular characterization of the 141 isolates was done by deletion analysis, spoligotyping and Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit-Variable Number Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) analysis. Among the 141 isolates, 80 (56.7%) were found as 'modern' and the remaining 61 (43.3%) were 'ancestral' type. Spoligotyping results revealed 91 distinct patterns of which 74 isolates were unique and the remaining 67 were divided into 17 distinct clusters. East African- Indian (EAI) lineage was the most predominant, comprising 26 (18.4%) isolates, followed by the Beijing lineage (14.2%). 15-loci MIRU-VNTR analysis revealed that 132 isolates (93.5%) had unique patterns, whereas only 9 (6.5%) isolates were grouped into 4 distinct clusters. In conclusion, the study findings provide a first insight into genetic diversity of EPTB isolates in Bangladesh. The present study demonstrated that 'modern' strains were more prevalent among the EPTB cases, while EAI lineages were predominantly circulating in this region.

Circulating strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: 24 loci MIRU-VNTR analysis in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is among the high burden countries for tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB). As the genetic diversity and distinct phylogeographic distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are responsible for regional differences in drug resistance, this cross sectional study was conducted to identify the circulating M. tuberculosis strains belonging to different lineages among pulmonary tuberculosis and, to investigate the contribution of distinct M. tuberculosis lineages to rifampicin resistant (RR) and rifampicin sensitive (RS) TB. A total of 40 RR and 20 RS isolates were enrolled in this study, all of which confirmed as M. tuberculosis by MPT 64 antigen detection. Furthermore, all isolates were genotyped by 24 loci Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units-Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR), thus comprising the first study to employ this approach in Bangladesh. Beijing was the predominant lineage (26.8%) followed by EAI (23.2%), Delhi/CAS (16.1%), H37Rv (8.9%), Haarlem (7.1%), LAM (5.4%), Cameroon (3.6%) and a NEW-1 (1.8%). Four (7.1%) isolates remained as unidentified. Beijing strains were the significantly predominant (36.8%; p = 0.0135) among the RR isolates in comparison with other strains whereas EAI was the predominant (38.8%) lineage among RS isolates. Also, approximately 13% RR isolates showed genotypic resistance against fluoroquinolones by LPA and, hence, classed as pre-XDR TB albeit no specific lineage was found associated with these latter strains. A low transmission rate (10.5%) and high genetic diversity was detected in this setting with all the clustered strains herein identified belonging to the Beijing lineage. This study highlights 24 loci MIRU-VNTR analysis as a powerful tool for genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in this setting as it shows a high discriminatory index (0.81).

Distribution and Frequency of rpoB Mutations Detected by Xpert MTB/RIF Assay Among Beijing and Non-Beijing Rifampicin Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in Bangladesh

Background

Rifampicin resistance (RR) is a key indicator of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and 95% of the RR is associated with the mutation in the 81-bp rifampicin resistance determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). The Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) assay uses five overlapping molecular beacon probes (A-E) complementary to RRDR region that detect MTBC and mutations associated with RR. The objective of the study was to investigate the distribution and frequency of mutations detected by Xpert assay among Beijing and non-Beijing RR-TB isolates.

Methods

A total of 205 randomly selected RR-TB specimens detected by Xpert assay were included in this study. A portion of specimens was further subjected to culture, MTBDRplus test and the positive culture isolates were genotyped by spoligotyping.

Results

We found that the most frequent mutation occurred at probe E (S531L) binding region in both Beijing and non-Beijing isolates (61.9% and 66.9%, respectively). The Beijing family had higher mutation rates than non-Beijing (19.0% vs 12.4%) at probe B (D516V) while the non-Beijing family had higher mutations at probe D (H526D or H526Y) than the Beijing (13.2% vs 10.7%) family. Mutations at probes Aand C were less common in both Beijing and non-Beijing isolates. There was no significant difference (P=0.36) in the occurrence of mutations at different probes between Beijing and non-Beijing isolates.

Conclusions

The study results revealed that the most frequent mutation occurs in the region of probe E and the least common mutations at probe A and C among both Beijing and non-Beijing RR-TB cases. This first insight into the probe mutation variation and frequencies among the RR-TB cases in Bangladesh forms the baseline information for further investigation.

Molecular characterization and drug susceptibility profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Northeast Bangladesh

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem worldwide including in Bangladesh. Molecular epidemiological tools provide genotyping profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) strains that can give insight into the transmission of TB in a specific region. The objective of the study was to identify the genetic diversity and drug susceptibility profile of M. tuberculosis strains circulating in the northeast Bangladesh. A total of 244 smear-positive sputum specimens were collected from two referral hospitals in Mymensingh and Netrakona districts. The isolated strains were genotyped by deletion analysis, spoligotyping, and MIRU-VNTR typing. We also analyzed the distributions of drug susceptibility pattern and demographic data among different genotypes. All isolates were identified as M. tuberculosis and among them 167 strains (68.44%) were 'ancestral' and the remaining 77 (31.56%) were 'modern' type. Spoligotyping analysis yielded 119 distinct patterns, among them, 86 isolates had unique patterns and the remaining 158 were grouped into 33 distinct clusters containing 2 to 18 isolates. The predominant spoligotypes belong to the EAI lineage strains, comprising 66 (27.04%) isolates followed by Beijing (7.38%), T1 (6.15%), CAS1-Delhi (5.33), LAM9 (3.28%), MANU-2 and X2. MIRU-VNTR analysis revealed 167 isolates (68%) had unique patterns, whereas 77 (32%) were grouped into 26 clusters and the rate of recent transmission was 20.9%, suggesting that the majority of TB cases in this region are caused by the reactivation of previous TB infections rather than recent transmission. About 136 (55.7%) isolates were sensitive to four anti-TB drugs, 69 (28.3%) were resistant to one or more (except rifampicin and isoniazid combination) drugs and 39 (15.9%) were MDR. In conclusion, our study provides a first insight into molecular characterization and drug resistance profile of M. tuberculosis strains in northeast Bangladesh which will ultimately contribute to the national TB control program.

Clustering and recent transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a Chinese population

Purpose

The objectives of the present study were to characterize the clinical isolates prevailing in the northeast of Jiangsu and to investigate the mode of transmission. The study also aimed to explore the extent to which Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains contributed to drug resistance and the possible factors related to the recent transmission.

Patients and methods

We consecutively enrolled 912 culture-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014 in Lianyungang City, which is located in the center of China’s vast ocean area and the northeast of Jiangsu province. Isolates were genotyped using 15-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing. The Hunter–Gaston discrimination index (HGDI) was used to estimate the discriminatory power and diversity of molecular markers.

Results

Among 741 successfully genotyped isolates, 144 (19.43%) strains formed 46 clusters, while 597 (80.57%) isolates had the unique MIRU pattern. The total HGDI for all 15 loci was 0.999. The average cluster size was 3 (2–13) patients. The estimated proportion of recent transmission was 13.34%. Patients with unfavorable treatment outcomes were infected with clustered strains at a higher proportion than were those with favorable treatment outcomes (adjusted OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.14–2.85, P=0.012).

Conclusion

The probability of recent TB transmission was relatively low in the study site, while the cases mainly arose from the activation of previous infection. Spatial analysis showed that strains forming larger clusters had the characteristics of regional aggregation.

Effect of active case finding on prevalence and transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis in Dhaka Central Jail, Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Understanding tuberculosis (TB) transmission dynamics is essential for establishing effective TB control strategies in settings where the burden and risk of transmission are high. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of active screening on controlling TB transmission and also to characterize Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains for investigating transmission dynamics in a correctional setting.

METHODS

The study was carried out in Dhaka Central Jail (DCJ), from October 2005 to February 2010. An active case finding strategy for pulmonary TB was established both at the entry point to the prison and inside the prison. Three sputum specimens were collected from all pulmonary TB suspects and subjected to smear microscopy, culture, and drug susceptibility testing as well as genotyping which included deletion analysis, spoligotyping and analysis of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU).

RESULTS

A total of 60,585 inmates were screened during the study period. We found 466 inmates with pulmonary TB of whom 357 (77%) had positive smear microscopy results and 109 (23%) had negative smear microscopy results but had positive results on culture. The number of pulmonary TB cases declined significantly, from 49 cases during the first quarter to 8 cases in the final quarter of the study period (p=0.001). Deletion analysis identified all isolates as M. tuberculosis and further identified 229 (70%) strains as 'modern' and 100 (30%) strains as 'ancestral'. Analysis of MIRU showed that 347 strains (85%) exhibited unique patterns, whereas 61 strains (15%) clustered into 22 groups. The largest cluster comprised eight strains of the Beijing M. tuberculosis type. The rate of recent transmission was estimated to be 9.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of active screening for TB was associated with a decline in TB cases in DCJ. Implementation of active screening in prison settings might substantially reduce the national burden of TB in Bangladesh.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from single outpatient clinic in Panama City exhibit wide genetic diversity

Understanding Mycobacterium tuberculosis biodiversity and transmission is significant for tuberculosis control. This short report aimed to determine the genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis isolates from an outpatient clinic in Panama City. A total of 62 M. tuberculosis isolates were genotyped by 12 loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and Spoligotyping. Forty-five (72.6%) of the isolates showed unique MIRU-VNTR genotypes, and 13 (21%) of the isolates were grouped into four clusters. Four isolates showed polyclonal MIRU-VNTR genotypes. The MIRU-VNTR Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index reached 0.988. The Spoligotyping analysis revealed 16 M. tuberculosis families, including Latin American-Mediterranean, Harlem, and Beijing. These findings suggest a wide genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis isolates at one outpatient clinic. A detailed molecular epidemiology survey is now warranted, especially following second massive immigration for local Panama Canal expansion activities.

Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in bovine and bubaline tissues using nested-PCR for TbD1

In the present study, a nested-PCR system, targeting the TbD1 region, involving the performance of conventional PCR followed by real-time PCR, was developed to detect Mycobacterium bovis in bovine/bubaline tissue homogenates. The sensitivity and specificity of the reactions were assessed with DNA samples extracted from tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacteria, as well as other actinomycetales species and DNA samples extracted directly from bovine and bubaline tissue homogenates. In terms of analytical sensitivity, the DNA of M. bovis AN5 was detected up to 1.56 ng with conventional PCR, 97.6 pg with real-time PCR, and 1.53 pg with nested-PCR in the reaction mixture. The nested-PCR exhibited 100% analytical specificity for M. bovis when tested with the DNA of reference strains of environmental mycobacteria and closely-related Actinomycetales. A clinical sensitivity value of 76.0% was detected with tissue samples from animals that exhibited positive results in the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CITT), as well as from those with lesions compatible with tuberculosis (LCT) that rendered positive cultures. A clinical specificity value of 100% was detected with tissue samples from animals with CITT- results, with no visible lesions (NVL) and negative cultures. No significant differences were found between the nested-PCR and culture in terms of detecting CITT+ animals with LCT or with NVL. No significant differences were recorded in the detection of CITT- animals with NVL. However, nested-PCR detected a significantly higher number of positive animals than the culture in the group of animals exhibiting LCT with no previous records of CITT. The use of the nested-PCR assay to detect M. bovis in tissue homogenates provided a rapid diagnosis of bovine and bubaline tuberculosis.

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in an urban slum of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Background

The objectives of this study were to assess the tuberculosis (TB) burden and to provide an insight into the type of circulating M. tuberculosis species in urban slums of Bangladesh. We also aimed to test the feasibility of a larger transmission study in this setting.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum of Dhaka city. The household members were actively screened to assess the presence of TB-related signs and symptoms; cough ≥3 weeks and body mass index (BMI) <17 kg/m². Sputum specimens from suspects were collected for acid fast bacilli (AFB) microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility testing. Genotyping of M. tuberculosis was done using spoligotyping and variable number tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units typing.

Results

Among 9,877 adult screened for pulmonary TB (PTB), 25 were positive for AFB on microscopy and/or culture and the prevalence of new PTB cases was estimated to be 253/100,000. Only one child TB case was diagnosed among 5,147 child screened. Out of 26 cases, 21(81%) had cough for several duration and 5(19%) did not present with cough at the time of screening. One multidrug resistant case was found. Fifty two percent of all TB cases had BMI <17 kg/m2 (p = <0.001). Among the 20 analyzed isolates, 13 different spoligotype patterns were identified in which 5 clusters contained 12 strains and 8 strains had unique pattern.

Conclusions

The study revealed high prevalence of TB in urban slums. Screening using low BMI can be beneficial among risk group population. It is important to conduct larger study to validate clinical variables like cough <3 weeks and low BMI to define TB suspect and also to investigate the transmission of TB in slum settings.

Yield of two consecutive sputum specimens for the effective diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

Background

From long instances, it is debatable whether three sputum specimens are required for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or TB can be diagnosed effectively using two consecutive sputum specimens. This study was set out to evaluate the significance of examining multiple sputum specimens in diagnosis of TB.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear and culture results of three consecutive days’ sputum specimens from 413 confirmed TB patients which were detected as part of a larger active case finding study in Dhaka Central Jail, the largest correctional facility in Bangladesh.

Results

AFB was detected from 81% (n = 334) patients, of which 89% (n = 297) were diagnosed from the first and additional 9% (n = 30) were from the second sputum specimen. M. tuberculosis growth was observed for 406 patients and 85% (n = 343) were obtained from the first sputum and additional 10% (n = 42) were from the second one. The third specimen didn’t show significant additional diagnostic value for the detection of AFB by microscopy or growth of the M. tuberculosis.

Conclusions

We concluded from our study results that examining two consecutive sputum specimens is sufficient enough for the effective diagnosis of TB. It can also decrease the laboratory workload and hence improve the quality of work in settings with high TB burden like Bangladesh.

Molecular mechanism of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Bangladesh

Despite having 100% coverage of directly observed treatment short-course, multi drug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) is still increasing in Bangladesh. Early detection of MDR-TB by rapid molecular test and early initiation of treatment will effectively stop this trend. To develop rapid diagnostic tools, molecular characterization of genes conferring Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) will be required. Hence, this study elucidated the molecular mechanism RIF and INH resistance in 218 MDR strains from hospitalized (n = 161) and non-hospitalized (n = 57) TB patients in Bangladesh. Mutations in rpoB gene were detected in 207 (95.0%) with majority at codon 531 (52.3%). Mutations in katG or inhA or both were detected in 206 (94.5%) with majority at codon 315 of katG (83.9%). It was noteworthy that a novel C to T mutation at position -34 and G to A mutations at position -47 in inhA regulatory region were found, respectively, in combination with mutation at codon 315 of katG. This is the first comprehensive molecular analysis of rpoB and katG genes and inhA regulatory regions of MDR isolates from Bangladesh. This study provides basic data for the construction of low cost tailor-made molecular system for rapid diagnosis of MDR-TB in Bangladesh.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in admitted patients at a tertiary referral hospital of Bangladesh

Background

This study was set out to investigate the magnitude, patterns and molecular characterization of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains at a tertiary referral hospital in Bangladesh.

Methods

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients admitted at National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital from February 2002 to September 2005 with or without previous history of TB and/or other complications were randomly interviewed. Among 265 participants enrolled, M. tuberculosis isolates from 189 patients were finally tested for susceptibility to rifampicin (RMP), isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (ETM) and streptomycin (STM). Genotyping of M. tuberculosis was done using deletion analysis and spoligotyping.

Results

Eighty-eight percent (n = 167) of the patients had history of previous anti-TB treatment while the remaining 12% were new TB cases. Of the 189 isolates, 9% were fully susceptible to the first line anti-TB drugs and 73.5% were multi-drug resistant TB. Other susceptibility results showed 79.4%, 77.2%, 76.7% and 78.8% resistance to INH, RMP, ETM and STM respectively. Multi-drug resistance was significantly higher among the 130 (78%) patients with previous history of anti-tuberculosis treatment (95% confidence interval, p = 0.001). Among the 189 analyzed isolates, 69% were classified as “modern” M. tuberculosis strains (i.e. TbD1- strains, lacking the M. tuberculosis-deletion region TbD1), whereas the remaining 31% were found to belong to the “ancestal” TbD1+ M. tuberculosis lineages. One hundred and five different spoligotype patterns were identified in which 16 clusters contained 100 strains and 89 strains had unique pattern. Strains with a spoligotype characteristic for the “Beijing” cluster were predominant (19%) and most of these strains (75%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR).

Conclusions

A high level of drug resistance observed among the re-treatment patients poses a threat of transmission of resistant strains to susceptible persons in the community. Proper counseling of patients and attention towards the completion of the anti-TB treatment is needed.