Social Mixing and Clinical Features Linked With Transmission in a Network of Extensively Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Cases in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases 2020-05, Vol.70 (11), p.2396-2402
• Main Authors: Nelson, Kristin N, Jenness, Samuel M, Mathema, Barun, Lopman, Benjamin A, Auld, Sara C, Shah, N Sarita, Brust, James C M, Ismail, Nazir, Omar, Shaheed Vally, Brown, Tyler S, Allana, Salim, Campbell, Angie, Moodley, Pravi, Mlisana, Koleka, Gandhi, Neel R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: and Commentaries; Antitubercular Agents - therapeutic use; Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis - drug therapy; Humans; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - genetics; South Africa - epidemiology; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant - drug therapy
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz636

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of death globally, and drug-resistant TB strains pose a serious threat to controlling the global TB epidemic. The clinical features, locations, and social factors driving transmission in settings with high incidences of drug-resistant TB are poorly understood. Methods We measured a network of genomic links using Mycobacterium tuberculosis whole-genome sequences. Results Patients with 2–3 months of cough or who spent time in urban locations were more likely to be linked in the network, while patients with sputum smear–positive disease were less likely to be linked than those with smear-negative disease. Associations persisted using different thresholds to define genomic links and irrespective of assumptions about the direction of transmission. Conclusions Identifying factors that lead to many transmissions, including contact with urban areas, can suggest settings instrumental in transmission and indicate optimal locations and groups to target with interventions. We identified factors that lead to the transmission of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, including contact with urban areas; these factors can suggest settings instrumental in transmission and indicate optimal locations and groups to target with interventions.