A first insight into tuberculosis transmission at the border of Ecuador and Colombia: a retrospective study of the population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Esmeraldas province

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1343350
• Publication Date: 2024-02-07T04:38:03Z
• Authors: Bernardo Castro-R...; Sebastián Espinoz...; Greta Franco-Soto...; José Manuel Benít...; Natalia Jiménez-P...; Camilo Cárdenas-F...; Juan Carlos Granda; Jose Luis Jouvin; Solon Alberto Orl...; Javier Hermoso de...; Miguel Ángel Garc...
• Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex; Molecular Epidemiology

Objective Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern in Ecuador and Colombia, considering that both countries are high-burden TB settings. Molecular epidemiology crucial to understand the transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) identify active clusters regional importance. Methods We studied potential between Colombia through analysis population structure MTBC lineages circulating Ecuadorian province Esmeraldas at border with Colombia. A total 105 strains were characterized by 24-loci MIRU-VNTR spoligotyping. Results lineage 4 only present Esmeraldas; no belonging Lineage 2–sublineage Beijing found despite its presence other provinces and, Genotyping results revealed high degree diversity for Esmeraldas: Neither within this nor including from or found. Conclusion Our data suggest rural isolated area may be not related highly transmitted but could influenced determinants favor relapse such as poverty poor system access. Further studies larger number necessary test hypothesis.