Hi-plex deep amplicon sequencing for identification, high-resolution genotyping and multidrug resistance prediction of Mycobacterium leprae directly from patient biopsies by using Deeplex Myc-Lep.

Background: Expansion of antimicrobial resistance monitoring and epidemiological surveillance are key components of the WHO strategy towards zero leprosy. The inability to grow Mycobacterium leprae in vitro precludes routine phenotypic drug susceptibility testing, and only limited molecular tests are available. We evaluated a culture-free targeted deep sequencing assay, for mycobacterial identification, genotyping based on 18 canonical SNPs and 11 core variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) markers, and detection of rifampicin, dapsone and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in rpoB/ctpC/ctpI, folP1, gyrA/gyrB, respectively, and hypermutation-associated mutations in nth.

Dental Unit Waterlines in Quito and Caracas Contaminated with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: A Potential Health Risk in Dental Practice.

Three cases of severe odontogenic infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Venezuela that were directly associated with dental procedures and the finding of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) in dental offices that were colonized with mycobacteria species was the reason for assessing the water quality of DUWLs in dental offices in two capital cities in South America, namely, Quito and Caracas. The main water supplies and the water from 143 DUWLs in both cities were sampled and especially checked for contamination with NTM. To measure the overall bacteriological quality of the water also the presence of heterotrophic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and was determined.