Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
Published on: September 5, 2017
Genotyping and transmission analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a pediatric population in Czech Republic and
Simona Mäsiarová1, Věra Dvořáková2, Michaela Hromádková2
1Department of Pharmacology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Background:
Tuberculosis remains a global health concern, with rising pediatric and adolescent cases. The advancement of diagnostic strategies is crucial for effective control, with whole-genome sequencing emerging as a promising tool. This study explores using whole-genome sequencing in pediatric Tuberculosis.
Methods:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from pediatric patients and their contacts were collected between January 2023 and June 2024 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The isolates were subjected to WGS to characterize the resistance patterns and transmission.
Results:
The study included 37 patients in total-30 pediatric cases and 7 adult index cases-with a single M. tuberculosis isolate collected per patient. The phylogenetic analysis results revealed that 32 out of 37 (86.5%) isolates belonged to the Euro-American lineage. Five isolates (13.5%) belonged to the East-Asian lineage. Genotypic resistance to at least one drug was confirmed in 6 patients (16%). 24 patients were divided into 9 clusters (65%), leaving 13 unclustered (35%). Moreover, the concordance between the identification of source case by WGS and epidemiological anamnesis was confirmed in 60% of patients.
Conclusions:
Epidemiological data may not always provide accurate insights into the transmission of TB. Consequently, integrating molecular methods, such as WGS, is essential to enhance the reliability and precision of epidemiological analyses.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...

