Spatial Distribution of Drug-Resistant <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Infections in Rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

oleh: Lindiwe M. Faye, Mojisola C. Hosu, Sandeep Vasaikar, Anzaan Dippenaar, Selien Oostvogels, Rob M. Warren, Teke Apalata

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-03-01

Deskripsi

Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious airborne disease caused by <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (Mtb), is a serious public health threat reported as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. South Africa is a high-TB-burden country with TB being the highest infectious disease killer. This study investigated the distribution of Mtb mutations and spoligotypes in rural Eastern Cape Province. The Mtb isolates included were 1157 from DR-TB patients and analysed by LPA followed by spoligotyping of 441 isolates. The distribution of mutations and spoligotypes was done by spatial analysis. The <i>rpoB</i> gene had the highest number of mutations. The distribution of <i>rpoB</i> and <i>katG</i> mutations was more prevalent in four healthcare facilities, <i>inhA</i> mutations were more prevalent in three healthcare facilities, and heteroresistant isolates were more prevalent in five healthcare facilities. The Mtb was genetically diverse with Beijing more prevalent and largely distributed. Spatial analysis and mapping of gene mutations and spoligotypes revealed a better picture of distribution.