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Persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis bioaerosol release in a tuberculosis-endemic setting
Ryan Dinkele1,2, Sophia Gessner1,2, Benjamin Patterson3
1UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
Iscience
|September 23, 2024
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is released by many individuals in communities, not just those with active tuberculosis disease. This finding challenges the traditional view of tuberculosis transmission and etiology.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, tuberculosis (TB) transmission was thought to require symptomatic disease and active Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) release.
- This paradigm suggested pathology was a prerequisite for Mtb transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Mtb bioaerosol release in a TB-endemic community.
- To challenge the assumption that only symptomatic TB patients transmit Mtb.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 89 community members in a TB-endemic setting for random sampling.
- Conducted longitudinal sampling over 2 months for 50 individuals.
- Assessed Mtb-containing bioaerosol release and QuantiFERON status.
Main Results:
- 79.8% of randomly recruited community members released Mtb-containing bioaerosols.
- Release was independent of QuantiFERON status (a marker for Mtb exposure).
- Only 2% of individuals were serially Mtb bioaerosol negative during 2-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Widespread Mtb release occurs in TB-endemic communities, irrespective of diagnosed TB or Mtb exposure.
- This necessitates a paradigm shift in understanding Mtb transmission and TB etiology.
- Findings may explain difficulties in mapping TB transmission networks in endemic regions.
Keywords:
Microbiology
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