Epidemiology and molecular typing of an outbreak of tuberculosis in a hostel for homeless men
Open Access
- 1 February 2000
- journal article
- Published by BMJ in Journal of Clinical Pathology
- Vol. 53 (2), 122-124
- https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.53.2.122
Abstract
Aim—To investigate a possible outbreak of tuberculosis in a hostel for homeless men using IS6110 profiling, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based fingerprinting technique. Methods—Eight cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed in residents of the hostel over a period of 28 months. To provide epidemiological data, a heminested inverse PCR (HIP) assay targeting the insertion sequence IS6110 together with its upstream flanking region was used to fingerprint the eight isolates of M tuberculosis under investigation. Results—The HIP technique gave IS6110 profiles which showed that while three isolates were clearly distinct, the remaining five strains were indistinguishable, suggesting the latter were representatives of a single outbreak strain. Conclusions—The HIP assay proved discriminatory and facilitated repeated testing for the direct comparison of strains as more patients presented over the protracted course of this outbreak.Keywords
This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- Strain typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosisJournal of Infection, 1999
- Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from patients smear-negative for acid-fast bacilliThe Lancet, 1999
- An outbreak of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in a London teaching hospitalJournal of Hospital Infection, 1998
- Investigation of an outbreak of multidrug resistant tuberculosis among renal patients using rpo B genes sequencing and IS6110 inverse PCRJournal of Infection, 1997
- Tuberculosis among the homeless at a temporary shelter in London: report of a chest x ray screening programme.Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 1995
- State of the art: Typing Mycobacterium tuberculosisJournal of Hospital Infection, 1995
- Tuberculosis in Britain today.BMJ, 1993