Eurosurveillance
Volume 19, Issue 11, 2014

Transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a low-incidence setting, Switzerland, 2006 to 2012 (Article) (Open Access)

Somoskovi A. , Helbling P. , Deggim V. , Hömke R. , Ritter C. , Böttger E.C.
  • a Institute for Medical Microbiology, National Centre for Mycobacteria, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • b Division of Communicable Diseases, Federal Office of Public Health, Bern, Switzerland
  • c Institute for Medical Microbiology, National Centre for Mycobacteria, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • d Institute for Medical Microbiology, National Centre for Mycobacteria, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • e Institute for Medical Microbiology, National Centre for Mycobacteria, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • f Institute for Medical Microbiology, National Centre for Mycobacteria, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to examine the transmission dynamics of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Switzerland. Between 2006 and 2012, a total of 49 MDR-TB cases were reported to the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, 46 of which were of foreign origin. All 49 initial strains were evaluated by molecular epidemiologic methods at the Swiss National Reference Centre for Mycobacteria. In 43 strains, unique DNA fingerprint patterns were identified. Twelve strains were grouped into six clusters. Data from contact tracing suggest likely in-country transmission in four clusters, mostly among close contacts. In the remaining two clusters, no contact tracing data were available, but the identified genotypes were known to be prevalent in the countries of origin of the patients, suggesting the possibility that the infection was acquired there. While most MDR-TB cases are imported to Switzerland, at least four of the 49 MDR-TB cases were due to transmission within the country. The imported cases, however, did not lead to secondary cases outside the circles of close contacts. The results also indicate that prevention of MDR-TB transmission among immigrants may require closer monitoring.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

genotype bacterial transmission sputum smear molecular epidemiology human middle aged variable number of tandem repeat Mycobacterium tuberculosis tuberculous meningitis Aged Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant disease surveillance cluster analysis Humans restriction fragment length polymorphism DNA, Bacterial DNA fingerprinting Antitubercular Agents male Emigrants and Immigrants female tuberculosis clinical article contact examination prevalence Incidence Contact Tracing Article tuberculin test adult isoniazid antibiotic sensitivity rifampicin phylogenetic tree Switzerland Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84896445087&doi=10.2807%2f1560-7917.ES2014.19.11.20736&partnerID=40&md5=54100a6653ffc5a8079f28fba24a79e3
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES2014.19.11.20736
ISSN: 1025496X
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English