Specific Strain Circulating in Prison Revealed by Cost-Effective Amplicon Sequencing.

This scientific study focuses on tuberculosis (TB) within prison settings, where persons deprived of liberty (PDL) face significantly higher rates of the disease compared to the general population. The research employs the low-cost amplicon sequencing of strains, aiming first to identify specific lineages and also to detect mutations associated with drug resistance. The method involves multiplex amplification, DNA extraction, and sequencing, providing valuable insights into TB dynamics and resistance-mutation profiles within the prison system at an affordable cost.

Clinical and epidemiological features of tuberculosis isolated from critically ill patients.

Human tuberculosis is still a major world health concern. In Uruguay, contrary to the world trend, an increase in cases has been observed since 2006. Although the incidence of MDR-resistant strains is low and no cases of XDR-TB were registered, an increase in the number of patients with severe tuberculosis requiring critical care admission was observed.

Species Distribution and Isolation Frequency of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, Uruguay.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) increasingly are recognized as opportunistic pathogens of humans. NTM species distribution is well documented in Europe and North America, but data from other regions are scarce. We assessed NTM isolation frequency and species distribution in Uruguay during 2006-2018.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of an Isoniazid-Resistant Clinical Isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain MtURU-002 from Uruguay.

The incidence of tuberculosis in Uruguay has been effectively reduced to <30 per 100,000 population, although an increase in nonrisk populations in the last few years is evident. Here, we present the genome sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain MtURU-002 isolated from a patient showing bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis that was resistant to isoniazid.

Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain MtURU-001, Isolated from a Rapidly Progressing Outbreak in Uruguay.

Despite efficient control programs, large clonal outbreaks of tuberculosis (TB) may arise in low-risk populations. Recently, an unusual TB outbreak was reported in Uruguay, reaching an elevated disease attack rate (53 to 69%). Here, we report the genome sequence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain associated with this rapidly progressing outbreak, named MtURU-001.

Prevalence and dissemination of the Ser315Thr substitution within the KatG enzyme in isoniazid-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated in Uruguay.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Ser315Thr substitution in isoniazid (INH)-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Uruguay. The katG gene of 62 INH-resistant strains was analysed by an RFLP-PCR assay. PCR products were digested with MspI to detect Ser315Thr and Arg463Leu substitutions.