Emergence in Western African countries of MDR-TB, focus on Côte d'Ivoire.

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for a high mortality rate (2.5%) worldwide, mainly in developing countries with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The emergence of multiresistant strains of TB poses an extreme risk for TB outbreaks and highlights the need for global TB control strategies.

Multilocus VNTR analysis of Mycobacterium ulcerans strains isolated in Côte d'Ivoire.

Introduction: Buruli ulcer, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is endemic in more than 30 countries worldwide, with Côte d'Ivoire being among the most affected countries.

Methodology: We used seven variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) markers and analyzed 114 samples from 11 Ivorian localities consisting of 33 bacterial strains and 81 clinical samples. Complete data sets at loci 1, 6, 9 and 33 were obtained for 18 of these strains (n = 15) and samples (n = 3) collected in each of the localities.