Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in referral health centers of Bamako, Mali: What is new?

Bourahima Kone*, Anou M. Somboro, Mahamadou Kone, Jane L. Holl, Bocar Baya, Djeneba Dabitao, Dramane Diallo, Bassirou Diarra, Amadou Kone, Yeya Dit Sadio Sarro, Moumine Sanogo, Antieme CG Togo, Robert L. Murphy, Souleymane Diallo, Nadie Coulibaly, Fatoumata Camara, Seydou Samake, Mahamadou Diakite, Seydou Doumbia, Mamoudou Maiga

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Aims: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important global health issue worldwide. Despite this scourge threatening many human lives, especially in developing countries, thus far, no advanced molecular epidemiology study using recent and more accurate tools has been conducted in Mali. Therefore, this study aimed to use variable-number tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU-VNTR) technology coupled with the spoligotyping method to accurately determine the hot spots and establish the epidemiological transmission links of TB in Bamako, Mali. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 245 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) were characterized using spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR, and an epidemiological investigation was conducted. Results: Of the 245 isolates, 184 (75.1%) were formally identified. The most widespread strain was the Cameroon strain (83; 45.1%). Eight major clusters were identified: Ghana (27; 14.7%), West African 2 (22; 12%), Haarlem (13; 7.1%), H37Rv (t) (8; 4.3%), Latin American Mediterranean (8; 4.3%), and Uganda I and II (6; 3.3%). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between lineages from the respective referral health centers of Bamako, Mali (P = 0.01). Conclusion: This study establishes, for the first time, an accurate spatial distribution of circulating MTB strains in Bamako, Mali. The data was used to identify strains and “hot spots” causing TB infection and can also be used for more targeted public health responses, particularly for hot spots of drug-resistant strains.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)204-211
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume117
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2022

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grant D43TW010350; D43 TW010543 and R21AI148033). None of the authors has a conflict of interest. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grant D43TW010350; D43 TW010543 and R21AI148033). Conceived and designed the experiments: BK, MM, AMS, MK, SeD, and SD. Performed the experiments: BK, MK, BD, AK, DD, FC, MS, ACGT, and NC. Analyzed the data: BK, MM, BD, AMS, MK, YDS, SYD, SOD, MS, RM, MD, DD, ACGT, and AK. Contributed reagents MM, RM, MD, and SS. Wrote the article: BK, AMS, MM, JLH, SeD, and BB. Reviewed by all authors. The authors would like to acknowledge all UCRC staff, laboratory and clinical, who contributed to patient recruitment, sample processing, and data collection. We are immensely grateful to the volunteers who participated in the study. We would like also to thank the 6 health referral centers and the national TB and HIV programs for their collaboration in the recruitment of patients.

Keywords

  • Genetic diversity
  • MIRU-VNTR
  • Mali
  • Spoligotyping
  • TB

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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