Abstract
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) initiated a project on the molecular surveillance of multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-/XDR-TB) transmission in the European Union (EU) in the period from 2009 to 2011. In total, 2,092 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) patterns of MDR-/XDR-TB Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were collected, originating from 24 different countries in the period 2003 to 2011. Of the collected VNTR patterns, 45% (n=941) could be assigned to one of the 79 European multiple-country molecular fingerprint clusters and 50% of those (n=470) belonged to one extremely large cluster caused by Beijing strains of one genotype. We conclude that international transmission of MDR-/XDR-TB plays an important role in the EU, especially in the eastern part, and is significantly related to the spread of one strain or clone of the Beijing genotype. Implementation of international cluster investigation in EU countries should reveal underlying factors of transmission, and show how TB control can be improved regarding case finding, contact tracing, infection control and treatment in order to prevent further spread of MDR-/XDR-TB in the EU.
Highlights
Molecular surveillance of multi- and extensively drugresistant tuberculosis (MDR-/XDR-TB) in the EuropeanUnion (EU) on basis of IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing detected large molecular clusters of MDR-/XDR-TB cases across European Union (EU) countries in the period 2003 to 2007 [1]
Almost half of the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) patterns collected in this molecular surveillance study of MDR/XDR M. tuberculosis was assigned to international European clusters, and 60% of these were part of a single, large European cluster
This molecular cluster, associated with the spread of a Beijing genotype strain, has so far been detected in 17 European countries. It was previously described in the EU by RFLP typing and notified for the first time in 2003 [1,2]
Summary
Molecular surveillance of multi- and extensively drugresistant tuberculosis (MDR-/XDR-TB) in the EuropeanUnion (EU) on basis of IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing detected large molecular clusters of MDR-/XDR-TB cases across EU countries in the period 2003 to 2007 [1]. Prevention and Control (ECDC) initiated a molecular surveillance project on MDR-/XDR-TB in the EU from www.eurosurveillance.org to 2012 which was built on the existing TB network previously funded by the European Commission This new project, carried out by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) on behalf of the ECDC, aimed at achieving a higher coverage by expanding molecular typing to countries in the EU where this was not yet the practice. For this purpose, the 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit variable number of tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing method was selected as the main DNA fingerprinting methodology [3]. It is based on DNA amplification, which abolishes the need for culture of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
