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An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
Published on: August 16, 2021
Pediatric tuberculosis: the litmus test for tuberculosis control.
Lucila Marquez1, Marsha L Feske, Larry D Teeter
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, TX 77030, USA. lm043062@bcm.tmc.edu
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|July 5, 2012
Summary
Genotyping revealed increased Mycobacterium tuberculosis clustering in pediatric tuberculosis cases, suggesting a failure in identifying source cases through contact tracing. This highlights potential threats to tuberculosis control due to reduced public health funding.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Previous studies reported pediatric tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology in Harris County, TX (1995-2000).
- This study aimed to assess ongoing trends in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) clustering and the utility of genotyping in pediatric TB cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate continued trends of M.tb clustering in pediatric TB.
- To determine the role of molecular genotyping in identifying transmission patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Houston Tuberculosis Initiative (2000-2004).
- Analyzed M.tb isolates from pediatric TB patients (≤18 years) using IS6110 RFLP and spoligotyping.
Main Results:
- 103 pediatric TB cases were identified; 36 isolates were genotyped.
- 75% of genotyped isolates (27/36) showed clustering into 22 distinct genotypes.
- 80% of cases with a potential source case (16/20) were clustered, with 12 matching genotypes.
Conclusions:
- Significant increase in clustered pediatric TB cases with unknown source cases compared to 1995-2000.
- Genotypic clustering indicates recent transmission, suggesting contact tracing failures.
- Reduced public health funding may impede TB control efforts and increase transmission risk.
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