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[Connection between 2 tuberculosis outbreaks demonstrated after 8 years by DNA-fingerprinting of the causative
R F Doveren1, S T Keizer, K Kremer
1GGD Zeeland, afd. Tuberculosebestrijding, Goes.
Objective:
To determine the possible connection between two outbreaks of tuberculosis at an 8-year interval by DNA fingerprinting of the causative mycobacteria.
Design:
Descriptive.
Setting:
Regional Public Health Services Zeeland and Noord-Holland, the Netherlands.
Method:
The source patients of the tuberculosis explosions in an island in the province of Zeeland (28 persons infected) and an island of the Noord-Holland area (36 persons infected) were identified in 1986 and 1994 respectively. In 1994. spoligotyping was performed on dead bacteria from the suspected source from 1986. to analyse the chain of transmission.
Results:
Identical spoligotyping patterns of the source patients proved the transmission of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain from a father to his son around 1986. Lack of a positive Mantoux test in the son prohibited prevention of the 1994 explosion.
Conclusion:
Thanks to the applicability of spoligotyping on non-vital mycobacteria this DNA method contributed retrospectively to demonstration of a connection between two out-breaks of tuberculosis at an 8-year interval.