An outbreak of drug-resistant tuberculosis caused by a Beijing strain in the Western Cape, South Africa
Date
2006
Authors
Johnson R.
Warren R.
Strauss O.J.
Jordaan A.M.
Falmer A.A.
Beyers N.
Schaaf H.S.
Murray M.
Cloete K.
Van Helden P.D.
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Abstract
During October 2005, four children in a school in Cape Town were identified with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Genetic analysis confirmed that these isolates belonged to a single cluster (Beijing cluster 220) and that all harboured a -15 inhAC-T promoter mutation demonstrating transmission. Genetic analysis of isolates cultured from patients from the Boland-Overberg-South Cape-Karoo and Cape Town regions showed that 28% (58/209) of patients infected with a Beijing strain had the cluster 220 genotypes and that all harboured the same -15 inhAC-T promoter mutation. The presence of these transmissible MDR-TB strains may pose a threat to the community, and rigorous infection control measures are needed to ensure the safety of those exposed. © 2006 The Union.
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Citation
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
10
12
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