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Babiker HA, Al-Jardani A, Al-Azri S, Petit RA, Saad E, Al-Mahrouqi S, Mohamed RA, Al-Hamidhi S, Balkhair AA, Al Kharusi N, Al Balushi L, Al Zadjali S, Pérez-Pardal L, Beja-Pereira A, Babiker A. Mycobacterium tuberculosis epidemiology in Oman: whole-genome sequencing uncovers transmission pathways. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0242023. [PMID: 37768070 PMCID: PMC10581073 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02420-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) originating from expatriates that hail from high TB-burden countries is hypothesized to play a role in continued TB transmission in Oman. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to assess national TB transmission dynamics. The annual incidence per 100,000 population per year was calculated for nationals and expatriates. A convenience sample of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from 2018 to 2019 was sequenced and analyzed with publicly available TB sequences from Bangladesh, Tanzania, the Philippines, India, and Pakistan. Relatedness was assessed by generating core-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distances. The incidence of TB was five cases per 100,000 persons in 2018 and seven cases per 100,000 persons in 2020 (R2 = 0.34, P = 0.60). Incidence among nationals was 3.9 per 100,000 persons in 2018 and 3.5 per 100,000 persons in 2020 (R2 = 0.20, P = 0.70), and incidence among expatriates was 7.2 per 100,000 persons in 2018 and 12.7 per 100,000 persons in 2020 (R2 = 0.74, P = 0.34). Sixty-eight local MTB isolates were sequenced and analyzed with 393 global isolates. Isolates belonged to nine distinct spoligotypes. Two isolates, originating from an expatriate and an Omani national, were grouped into a WGS-based cluster (SNP distance < 12), which was corroborated by an epidemiological investigation. Relatedness of local and global isolates (SNP distance < 100) was also seen. The relatedness between MTB strains in Oman and those in expatriate countries of origin can aid inform TB control policy. Our results provide evidence that WGS can complement epidemiological analysis to achieve the End TB strategy goal in Oman. IMPORTANCE Tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Oman remains above national program control targets. TB transmission originating from expatriates from high TB-burden countries has been hypothesized to play a role. We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to assess TB transmission dynamics between expatriates and Omani nationals to inform TB control efforts. Available Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from 2018 to 2019 underwent WGS and analysis with publicly available TB sequences from Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, and Pakistan to assess for genetic relatedness. Our analysis revealed evidence of previously unrecognized transmission between an expatriate and an Omani national, which was corroborated by epidemiological investigation. Analysis of local and global isolates revealed evidence of distant relatedness between local and global isolates. Our results provide evidence that WGS can complement classic public health surveillance to inform targeted interventions to achieve the End TB strategy goal in Oman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza A Babiker
- Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Amina Al-Jardani
- Central Public Health Laboratories, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Saleh Al-Azri
- Central Public Health Laboratories, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Robert A. Petit
- Wyoming Department of Health, Wyoming Public Health Laboratory, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA
| | - Eltaib Saad
- Department of Medicine, Ascension Saint Francis Hospital, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Sarah Al-Mahrouqi
- Central Public Health Laboratories, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Reham A.H. Mohamed
- Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Salama Al-Hamidhi
- Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Abdullah A. Balkhair
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Najma Al Kharusi
- Central Public Health Laboratories, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Laila Al Balushi
- Central Public Health Laboratories, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Samiya Al Zadjali
- Central Public Health Laboratories, National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Lucía Pérez-Pardal
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Labora tório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Albano Beja-Pereira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Labora tório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- DGAOT, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ahmed Babiker
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Chin KL, Anibarro L, Sarmiento ME, Acosta A. Challenges and the Way forward in Diagnosis and Treatment of Tuberculosis Infection. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8020089. [PMID: 36828505 PMCID: PMC9960903 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8020089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, it is estimated that one-quarter of the world's population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), also known as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Recently, this condition has been referred to as tuberculosis infection (TBI), considering the dynamic spectrum of the infection, as 5-10% of the latently infected population will develop active TB (ATB). The chances of TBI development increase due to close contact with index TB patients. The emergence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and the risk of development of latent MDR-TB has further complicated the situation. Detection of TBI is challenging as the infected individual does not present symptoms. Currently, there is no gold standard for TBI diagnosis, and the only screening tests are tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs). However, these tests have several limitations, including the inability to differentiate between ATB and TBI, false-positive results in BCG-vaccinated individuals (only for TST), false-negative results in children, elderly, and immunocompromised patients, and the inability to predict the progression to ATB, among others. Thus, new host markers and Mtb-specific antigens are being tested to develop new diagnostic methods. Besides screening, TBI therapy is a key intervention for TB control. However, the long-course treatment and associated side effects result in non-adherence to the treatment. Additionally, the latent MDR strains are not susceptible to the current TBI treatments, which add an additional challenge. This review discusses the current situation of TBI, as well as the challenges and efforts involved in its control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Ling Chin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
- Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (K.L.C.); (L.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Luis Anibarro
- Tuberculosis Unit, Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Pontevedra, 36071 Pontevedra, Spain
- Immunology Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS-GS), 36312 Vigo, Spain
- Correspondence: (K.L.C.); (L.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Maria E. Sarmiento
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
| | - Armando Acosta
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (K.L.C.); (L.A.); (A.A.)
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Importance of Tuberculosis Screening of Resident Visa Applicants in Low TB Incidence Settings: Experience from Oman. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2022; 12:281-291. [PMID: 35469117 PMCID: PMC9037058 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-022-00040-w] [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: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction For Oman, a country targeting tuberculosis (TB) elimination, TB among expatriates is a major challenge. Thus, screening for active TB using chest X-ray was made mandatory for expatriates’ residency renewals. Objective To estimate the incidence of bacteriologically confirmed TB and assess impact of chest X-ray based TB screening among expatriates in Muscat Governorate. Methods Applicants for residency and renewals were mandated for chest X-ray-based TB screening in 2018. We collected data of screened subjects with radiological suspicion of TB who were subjected to further bacteriological evaluation. Results Of 501,290 applicants screened during the study period, 436 (0.09%) had X-ray findings suggestive of TB. Among the 436, TB was confirmed in 53 (12.2%; 95% CI 9.2–15.6), giving an overall prevalence of 10.6 (95% CI 8–13.9) per 100,000 applicants (number needed to be screened 9458). Among renewals, the point prevalence of TB was 10.5 per 100,000 expatriates screened (95% CI 6.9–14.04 per 100,000), with a mean follow-up period of 11.8 years. Conclusion Our findings are consistent with the recommendation for utilization of chest X-ray as a preferred tool for active case finding in the setting of expatriate screening. Our findings are also suggestive of the need for latent TB screening and ruling out TB prior to latent TB treatment.
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