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Otchere ID, Asante-Poku A, Akpadja KF, Diallo AB, Sanou A, Asare P, Osei-Wusu S, Onyejepu N, Diarra B, Dagnra YA, Kehinde A, Antonio M, Yeboah-Manu D. Opinion review of drug resistant tuberculosis in West Africa: tackling the challenges for effective control. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1374703. [PMID: 38827613 PMCID: PMC11141065 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1374703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern globally, complicating TB control and management efforts. West Africa has historically faced difficulty in combating DR-TB due to limited diagnostic skills, insufficient access to excellent healthcare, and ineffective healthcare systems. This has aided in the emergence and dissemination of DR Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains in the region. In the past, DR-TB patients faced insufficient resources, fragmented efforts, and suboptimal treatment outcomes. However, current efforts to combat DR-TB in the region are promising. These efforts include strengthening diagnostic capacities, improving access to quality healthcare services, and implementing evidence-based treatment regimens for DR-TB. Additionally, many West African National TB control programs are collaborating with international partners to scale up laboratory infrastructure, enhance surveillance systems, and promote infection control measures. Moreso, novel TB drugs and regimens, such as bedaquiline and delamanid, are being introduced to improve treatment outcomes for DR-TB cases. Despite these obstacles, there is optimism for the future of DR-TB control in West Africa. Investments are being made to improve healthcare systems, expand laboratory capacity, and support TB research and innovation. West African institutions are now supporting knowledge sharing, capacity building, and resource mobilization through collaborative initiatives such as the West African Network for TB, AIDS, and Malaria (WANETAM), the West African Health Organization (WAHO), and other regional or global partners. These efforts hold promise for improved diagnostics, optimized treatment regimens, and provide better patient outcomes in the future where drug-resistant TB in WA can be effectively controlled, reducing the burden of the disease, and improving the health outcomes of affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Darko Otchere
- Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Adwoa Asante-Poku
- Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Awa Ba Diallo
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy at Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Adama Sanou
- Centre Muraz, Institut National de Santé Publique, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Prince Asare
- Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Stephen Osei-Wusu
- Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nneka Onyejepu
- Microbiology Department, Center for Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Bassirou Diarra
- University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Aderemi Kehinde
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Martin Antonio
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Epidemic Preparedness and Response, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dorothy Yeboah-Manu
- Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Addo SO, Mensah GI, Mosi L, Abrahams AOD, Addo KK. Genetic diversity and drug resistance profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates from patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Ghana and their associated host immune responses. IJID REGIONS 2022; 4:75-84. [PMID: 35813561 PMCID: PMC9263986 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Pleural TB and TB lymphadenitis are the most common forms of extrapulmonary TB in Ghana. M. tb sub-lineage Cameroon is associated with decreased serum IL-1β, IL-17A, and IFN-α. A significant association was observed between age and M. tb complex lineages. Generally, M. bovis contributes minimally to human extrapulmonary TB in Ghana.
Objectives This study sought to determine the genetic diversity and drug resistance profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates from extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) patients in Ghana, and their associated immune responses. Methods Spoligotyping was performed on 102 MTBC isolates from EPTB patients. Lineages/sub-lineages were assigned by comparing spoligotyping patterns primarily with the SITVIT2 database and subsequently with the TB-Lineage online tool for unknown isolates in SITVIT2. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using MGIT (BD BACTEC 960), Lowenstein-Jensen media (indirect proportion method), and GenoType MTBDRplus/MTBDRsl assays. Differential cytokine levels in the serum of 20 EPTB patients infected with MTBC lineage 4 were determined using the Luminex multiplex immunoassay. Results Around 95% (97/102) of isolates were Mycobacterium tuberculosis, predominantly lineage 4 (95%; 92/97). Of the lineage 4 isolates, the majority were sub-lineage Cameroon (37%, 34/92). Prevalence was significantly higher in the 15–34 years age group among EPTB patients infected with lineage 4 strains (p = 0.024). Fifteen isolates were resistant to at least one anti-TB drug tested. Decreased levels of IL-1β, IL-17A, and IFN-α were observed in individuals infected with Cameroon sub-lineages compared with other lineage 4 sub-lineages. Conclusions Our study confirms Cameroon (SIT61) as the most common spoligotype causing human EPTB in Ghana, and that it is associated with decreased serum IL-1β, IL-17A, and IFN-α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ofori Addo
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Corresponding Author: Samuel Ofori Addo, Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Ghana. Tel: (+233) 242 763 796.
| | - Gloria Ivy Mensah
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Lydia Mosi
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Afua Owusua Darkwah Abrahams
- Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kennedy Kwasi Addo
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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Acquah SEK, Asare P, Danso EK, Tetteh P, Tetteh AY, Boateng D, Osei-Wusu S, Afum T, Ayamdooh YI, Akugre EA, Samad OA, Quaye L, Obiri-Danso K, Kock R, Asante-Poku A, Yeboah-Manu D. Molecular epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in Northern Ghana identifies several uncharacterized bovine spoligotypes and suggests possible zoonotic transmission. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010649. [PMID: 35951638 PMCID: PMC9398027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective
We conducted an abattoir-based cross-sectional study in the five administrative regions of Northern Ghana to determine the distribution of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) among slaughtered carcasses and identify the possibility of zoonotic transmission.
Methods
Direct smear microscopy was done on 438 tuberculosis-like lesions from selected cattle organs and cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen media. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) isolates were confirmed as members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) by PCR amplification of IS6110 and rpoß. Characterization and assignment into MTBC lineage and sub-lineage were done by spoligotyping, with the aid of the SITVIT2, miruvntrplus and mbovis.org databases. Spoligotype data was compared to that of clinical M. bovis isolates from the same regions to identify similarities.
Results
A total of 319/438 (72.8%) lesion homogenates were smear positive out of which, 84.6% (270/319) had microscopic grade of at least 1+ for AFB. Two hundred and sixty-five samples (265/438; 60.5%) were culture positive, of which 212 (80.0%) were MTBC. Approximately 16.7% (34/203) of the isolates with correctly defined spoligotypes were negative for IS6110 PCR but were confirmed by rpoß. Spoligotyping characterized 203 isolates as M. bovis (198, 97.5%), M. caprae (3, 1.5%), M. tuberculosis (Mtbss) lineage (L) 4 Cameroon sub-lineage, (1, 0.5%), and M. africanum (Maf) L6 (1, 0.5%). A total of 53 unique spoligotype patterns were identified across the five administrative regions (33 and 28 were identified as orphan respectively by the SITVIT2 and mbovis.org databases), with the most dominant spoligotype being SIT1037/ SB0944 (77/203, 37.93%). Analysis of the bovine and human M. bovis isolates showed 75% (3/4) human M. bovis isolates sharing the same spoligotype pattern with the bovine isolates.
Conclusion
Our study identified that approximately 29% of M. bovis strains causing BTB in Northern Ghana are caused by uncharacterized spoligotypes. Our findings suggest possible zoonotic transmission and highlight the need for BTB disease control in Northern Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ekuban Kobina Acquah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Prince Asare
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- * E-mail: (PA); (DYM)
| | - Emelia Konadu Danso
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Phillip Tetteh
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Amanda Yaa Tetteh
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel Boateng
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Stephen Osei-Wusu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Theophilus Afum
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Eric Agongo Akugre
- Veterinary Services Directorate, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Bolgatanga, Ghana
| | - Omar Abdul Samad
- Veterinary Services Directorate, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Wa, Ghana
| | - Lawrence Quaye
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Kwasi Obiri-Danso
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richard Kock
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adwoa Asante-Poku
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dorothy Yeboah-Manu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- * E-mail: (PA); (DYM)
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Silva ML, Cá B, Osório NS, Rodrigues PNS, Maceiras AR, Saraiva M. Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium africanum: Knowns and unknowns. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010490. [PMID: 35617217 PMCID: PMC9135246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), one of the deadliest threats to human health, is mainly caused by 2 highly related and human-adapted bacteria broadly known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium africanum. Whereas M. tuberculosis is widely spread, M. africanum is restricted to West Africa, where it remains a significant cause of tuberculosis. Although several differences have been identified between these 2 pathogens, M. africanum remains a lot less studied than M. tuberculosis. Here, we discuss the genetic, phenotypic, and clinical similarities and differences between strains of M. tuberculosis and M. africanum. We also discuss our current knowledge on the immune response to M. africanum and how it possibly articulates with distinct disease progression and with the geographical restriction attributed to this pathogen. Understanding the functional impact of the diversity existing in TB-causing bacteria, as well as incorporating this diversity in TB research, will contribute to the development of better, more specific approaches to tackle TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta L. Silva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Baltazar Cá
- INASA - Instituto Nacional de Saúde Pública da Guiné-Bissau, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
- Bandim Health Project, Indepth Network, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Nuno S. Osório
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro N. S. Rodrigues
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Raquel Maceiras
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Saraiva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Balamurugan M, Banerjee R, Kasibhatla SM, Achalere A, Joshi R. Understanding the Genetic Diversity of Mycobacterium africanum Using Phylogenetics and Population Genomics Approaches. Front Genet 2022; 13:800083. [PMID: 35495132 PMCID: PMC9043288 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.800083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of two lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. africanum (Maf), L5 and L6, which are members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), are responsible for causing tuberculosis in West Africa. Regions of difference (RDs) are usually used for delineation of MTBC. With increased data availability, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) promise to provide better resolution. Publicly available 380 Maf samples were analyzed for identification of “core-cluster-specific-SNPs,” while additional 270 samples were used for validation. RD-based methods were used for lineage-assignment, wherein 31 samples remained unidentified. The genetic diversity of Maf was estimated based on genome-wide SNPs using phylogeny and population genomics approaches. Lineage-based clustering (L5 and L6) was observed in the whole genome phylogeny with distinct sub-clusters. Population stratification using both model-based and de novo approaches supported the same observations. L6 was further delineated into three sub-lineages (L6.1–L6.3), whereas L5 was grouped as L5.1 and L5.2 based on the occurrence of RD711. L5.1 and L5.2 were further divided into two (L5.1.1 and L5.1.2) and four (L5.2.1–L5.2.4) sub-clusters, respectively. Unassigned samples could be assigned to definite lineages/sub-lineages based on clustering observed in phylogeny along with high-confidence posterior membership scores obtained during population stratification. Based on the (sub)-clusters delineated, “core-cluster-specific-SNPs” were derived. Synonymous SNPs (137 in L5 and 128 in L6) were identified as biomarkers and used for validation. Few of the cluster-specific missense variants in L5 and L6 belong to the central carbohydrate metabolism pathway which include His6Tyr (Rv0946c), Glu255Ala (Rv1131), Ala309Gly (Rv2454c), Val425Ala and Ser112Ala (Rv1127c), Gly198Ala (Rv3293) and Ile137Val (Rv0363c), Thr421Ala (Rv0896), Arg442His (Rv1248c), Thr218Ile (Rv1122), and Ser381Leu (Rv1449c), hinting at the differential growth attenuation. Genes harboring multiple (sub)-lineage-specific “core-cluster” SNPs such as Lys117Asn, Val447Met, and Ala455Val (Rv0066c; icd2) present across L6, L6.1, and L5, respectively, hinting at the association of these SNPs with selective advantage or host-adaptation. Cluster-specific SNPs serve as additional markers along with RD-regions for Maf delineation. The identified SNPs have the potential to provide insights into the genotype–phenotype correlation and clues for endemicity of Maf in the African population.
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