Molecular epidemiology of multidrug resistant tuberculosis through whole genome sequencing

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the infectious diseases with greater impact in the world. Currently, research in the field of molecular epidemiology of the disease highlights as a major advance, which allow better understanding on transmission, pathogenesis and bacilli resistance. Among the various genotyping methods developed, whole genome sequencing has shown higher discriminatory power and also enables accurate analysis of gene mutations associated with bacilli resistance. The aim of this study is characterize the Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from patients of northeastern state of São Paulo, in Brazil and Sofala Province in Mozambique through whole genome sequencing, and to correlate found genotypes with the presence of bacilli resistance and the clinical form of the disease. It is a descriptive and cross-sectional study, that will be performed at the Clinics Hospital, FMRP-USP (sensitivity tests) and at the Molecular Genetics and Bio-informatics Laboratory on the Hematology Regional Center of Ribeirão Preto (whole genome sequencing). Samples of 140 patients diagnosed with TB during the years 2014-2015 will be included (70 from Brazil and 70 from Mozambique). The project was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the HCRP and FMRP-USP (944117 - February 1, 2015) and by the National Bioethics Committee for Health of Mozambique (259 / CNBS / 14 - November 3, 2014). (AU)