[HTML][HTML] An overview of tuberculosis outbreaks reported in the years 2011–2020

L Żukowska, D Zygała-Pytlos, K Struś, A Zabost… - BMC infectious …, 2023 - Springer
L Żukowska, D Zygała-Pytlos, K Struś, A Zabost, M Kozińska, E Augustynowicz-Kopeć…
BMC infectious diseases, 2023Springer
Background In many countries tuberculosis (TB) remains a highly prevalent disease and a
major contributor to infectious disease mortality. The fight against TB requires surveillance of
the population of strains circulating worldwide and the analysis of the prevalence of certain
strains in populations. Nowadays, whole genome sequencing (WGS) allows for accurate
tracking of TB transmission. Currently, there is a lack of a comprehensive summary of the
characteristics of TB outbreaks. Methods We systematically analyzed studies reporting TB …
Background
In many countries tuberculosis (TB) remains a highly prevalent disease and a major contributor to infectious disease mortality. The fight against TB requires surveillance of the population of strains circulating worldwide and the analysis of the prevalence of certain strains in populations. Nowadays, whole genome sequencing (WGS) allows for accurate tracking of TB transmission. Currently, there is a lack of a comprehensive summary of the characteristics of TB outbreaks.
Methods
We systematically analyzed studies reporting TB outbreaks worldwide, monitored through WGS of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We 1) mapped the reported outbreaks from 2011- 2020, 2) estimated the average size of the outbreaks, 3) indicated genetic lineages causing the outbreaks, and 4) determined drug-resistance patterns of M. tuberculosis strains involved in the outbreaks.
Results
Most data originated from Europe, Asia, and North America. We found that TB outbreaks were reported throughout the globe, on all continents, and in countries with both high and low incidences. The detected outbreaks contained a median of five M. tuberculosis isolates. Most strains causing the outbreaks belonged to lineage four, more rarely to lineage two. Reported outbreak isolates were often drug resistant.
Conclusions
We conclude that more WGS surveillance of M. tuberculosis outbreaks is needed. Globally standardized procedures might improve the control of M. tuberculosis infections.
Springer