Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40238782›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Genotypic drug resistance and transmission clusters of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates among Ethiopian returnees from Saudi Arabia.

Melaku Tilahun, Abay Atnafu, Tewodros Tariku Gebresilase, Muluye Abebe, Mekdes Alemu, Sebisib Neway, Taye Letta, Abiot Bezabeh, Tamiru Assefa, Kalkidan Melaku and 8 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Melaku TilahunArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0002-3101-3926
Abay AtnafuArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tewodros Tariku GebresilaseArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Muluye AbebeArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mekdes AlemuArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0002-5860-7070
Sebisib NewayArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0002-2033-5874
Taye LettaMinistry of Health (MOH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abiot BezabehREACH Ethiopia, USAID-Urban TB LON Project. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0003-0441-8845
Tamiru AssefaREACH Ethiopia, USAID-Urban TB LON Project. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kalkidan MelakuArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Dawit Hailu AlemayehuArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Shewki MogaEthiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0002-8582-6658
Abaysew AyeleArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Maeruf FetuArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Bethlehem AdnewArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Andargachew MuluArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Liya WassieArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0002-5494-5275
Kidist BoboshaArmauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0001-8091-7182

Funding

Ethiopia-Emory TB Research Training ProgramD43TW009127 · FIC · EMORY UNIVERSITY · PI HENRY M BLUMBERG, Kidist Bobosha · 2013 to 2026
$3.4M
FIC NIH HHS D43 TW009127
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHuman migration significantly contributes to the global spread of infectious diseases. In recent years, Ethiopia has experienced an increased influx of returnees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These migrants were often held in densely populated and inadequately ventilated detention centers and faced a heightened risk of tuberculosis transmission. This study investigates the genotypic drug resistance and transmission clusters of M. tuberculosis among returnees from various detention centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is employed to characterize the genotypic drug resistance patterns and transmission clusters of M. tuberculosis isolates in presumptive TB cases. METHODOLOGY: Following symptom screening for presumptive TB, sputum samples were collected from 161 Xpert MTB/RIF-confirmed returnees between August and December 2022. The samples were further cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen media, with 66.5% (107/161) yielding positive results. The M. tuberculosis strains were classified, and genotypic drug susceptibility was predicted. Transmission clusters were identified using a distance threshold of 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

resultsAmong the 88 isolates, Lineage 4 was the most prevalent, representing 65.9% of M. tuberculosis cases among returnees. Sub-lineage 4.2.2.2 was the most dominant within this group, comprising 33% (29/88) of the isolates. Among the isolates, 40 gene mutations conferring resistance to first- and second-line anti-TB drugs were identified. Sixteen transmission clusters were identified, suggesting possible transmission events and a likely origin within the detention centers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The proportion of MDR-TB among newly diagnosed cases was 2.3% (2/88).

conclusionThe clustering patterns of M. tuberculosis strain among KSA returnees possibly suggest increased transmission rates in congregate settings. Most importantly, the identified prevalence of MDR-TB, particularly among newly diagnosed TB cases, underscores the need to strengthen robust screening practices for returning migrants before they reintegrate into the community to curb TB/DR-TB transmission.

Indexed as

Drug Resistance, BacterialMycobacterium tuberculosisTuberculosisTuberculosis, Multidrug-ResistantAdultAntitubercular AgentsEthiopiaFemaleGenotypeHumansMaleMicrobial Sensitivity TestsMiddle AgedPolymorphism, Single NucleotideSaudi ArabiaWhole Genome SequencingAntitubercular Agents

Identifiers

PMID40238782
PMCPMC12002542

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.