Extract
To the Editor:
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a new powerful technology for characterisation of bacterial genomes and has been used successfully to investigate Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates associated with tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks and to elucidate mutations conferring drug resistance [1–6]. Enhanced contact investigation and improved diagnosis and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) are an important strategy for TB control and elimination [7–10].
Between February 2012 and July 2013, 14 TB cases (12 confirmed by culture, two clinically confirmed cases) associated with an outbreak were identified in Turku, Finland. The median age of the TB cases was 19 years (range 16–32 years). Four cases were Finnish born, nine were foreign born with an East-African origin and one was foreign born with a Central European origin. Social network analysis, WGS and interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) were used in an ongoing outbreak investigation to complement the traditional contact investigation and to assess the public health relevance of these methods.
Traditional contact investigation methods were used in accordance with the Finnish guidelines. All the identified contacts were interviewed, clinically assessed and screened for active TB by chest radiography. Additionally, classmates and other close contacts (aged <35 years) of sputum smear-positive TB cases were tested for LTBI by IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold
- Received June 19, 2014.
- Accepted August 12, 2014.
- ©ERS
