Highly transmitted M. tuberculosis strains are more likely to evolve MDR/XDR and cause outbreaks, but what makes them highly transmitted?

Multi-Drug-Resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) are a serious obstacle to global TB eradication. While most MDR-TB strains are infrequently transmitted, a few cause large transmission clusters that contribute substantially to local MDR-TB burdens. Here we examine whether the known mutations in these strains can explain their success.

Drug resistance, fitness and compensatory mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

For tuberculosis to be eradicated, the transmission of Multi-Drug-Resistant and eXtensively Drug Resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR and XDR-TB) must be considerably reduced. Drug resistant strains were initially thought to have reduced fitness, and the majority of resistant strains may actually have compromised fitness because they are found in only one or a few patients. In contrast, some MDR/XDR-TB strains are highly transmitted and cause large outbreaks.

Combination of Xpert MTB/RIF and MTBDRplus for Diagnosing Tuberculosis in a Chinese District.

BACKGROUND The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) remains high in many countries, including some middle- and high-income countries without financial constraints for diagnosis and treatment. The implementation of an improved algorithm for diagnosis using 2 rapid molecular tests should help reduce the TB burden. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between April 2018 and March 2019, sputum samples from 711 patients suspected of TB in Nanshan, Shenzhen, China, were included in this prospective study.

Tuberculosis trends in a hot-spot region in Paris, France.

Tuberculosis (TB) incidence is declining overall in France, but not in Paris where some areas remain relative hot spots for TB. To obtain a better knowledge of local TB epidemiology in order to facilitate control measures. Analysis of demographic data of TB patients diagnosed at the Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital from 2007 to 2016, with spoligotyping of complex isolates.