Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance
Tuberculosis surveillance for a world health crisis
Tuberculosis (TB) surveillance is a vital step toward eradicating a disease that is the second leading infectious disease killer worldwide, behind COVID-19.1 Caused by bacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), which includes Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), TB is a treatable disease but drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat.1 Genomic-based TB surveillance can support public health officials in:
- Detecting Mtb and non-TB species
- Characterizing anti-TB drug resistance
- Tracking the path of transmission
- Monitoring the evolution of the mycobacterium and novel mutations that are resistant to existing and new forms of treatment
The discriminatory power of next-generation sequencing enables outbreaks to be addressed with greater speed and confidence.
NGS: An innovative approach for detecting, characterizing, and eradicating tuberculosis
NGS is fueling the future of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) research. This informative eBook outlines the global implications of DR-TB, details how NGS is being used to advance the WHO goal of ending TB, and overviews Illumina targeted and whole-genome sequencing workflows that can be applied to TB genomic investigations and research.
Download the eBook todayGenomic analysis for detecting drug-resistant tuberculosis
Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is an MTBC that is resistant to one or more anti-TB drugs and represents a major challenge in controlling the pathogen’s diagnosis, treatment, and eradication.2 Detecting and characterizing these strains are therefore a vital part of disease surveillance.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based solutions, such as targeted NGS (tNGS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), offer key advantages in detecting DR-TB and are detailed below.
Targeted next-generation sequencing advantages
Sample preparation
- Start directly from specimens, no need for timely cultures
Detection capabilities
- Genotyping and spoligotyping of Mtb
- Target drug resistance markers for a wide range of anti-TB drug resistance detection
- Detection of heteroresistant subpopulations
Focused detection
- Detection of Mtb and non-TB mycobacterium strains
- Accurate characterization of nucleotide-level genetic polymorphisms
Whole-genome sequencing advantages
Sample preparation
- Start from cultured isolates
Detection capabilities
- Full genome sequence data for variant detection and resistant mechanisms, regardless of prior knowledge
Focused detection
- Unbiased characterization of entire genomes for high resolution epidemiological investigations
- Full genome available for any analysis needs
Transforming DR-TB detection with tNGS: Evidence, cost analysis, and implementation considerations
Discover the latest advancements in tuberculosis detection from global experts. This on-demand video series explores the economic, scientific, and policy implications of adopting next-generation sequencing in the fight against drug-resistant TB.
- Dr. Alice Zwirling, an expert in epidemiology and health economics, discusses the economic analysis of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) for detecting drug-resistant TB.
- Anita Suresh, Head of Genomics and Sequencing at FIND, presents on targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) detection and the transition from evidence to policy.
- Dr. Shaheed Omar discusses the implementation of targeted next-generation sequencing in South Africa for drug-resistant tuberculosis detection. He outlines South Africa's journey with whole-genome sequencing, the challenges with current drug resistance detection methods, and the promising role of NGS in detecting drug-resistant TB.
Featured Product
Illumina and Genoscreen Deeplex Myc-TB Combo Kit
This kit is a tNGS panel that identifies MTBC strains and mycobacterial species while providing a solution for genotyping and predicting drug resistance mutations for MTBC strains. This is a comprehensive, culture-free solution for characterizing TB drug resistance with fast results in less than 48 hours.
Learn MoreRelated Products
MiSeq System and Reagents
The MiSeq benchtop sequencer enables targeted and microbial genome applications, with high-quality sequencing, simple data analysis, and cloud storage.
MiniSeq System
Explore how the MiniSeq System can harness the power of NGS in an accessible sequencing format perfect for your benchtop. Streamlined and cost-efficient for rapid sequencing of DNA and RNA.
Illumina DNA Prep
The Illumina DNA Prep is a fast, user-friendly solution for a wide range of applications from human whole-genome sequencing to amplicons, plasmids, and microbial species.
iSeq System
The iSeq 100 Sequencing System makes next-generation sequencing easier and more affordable than ever. Designed for simplicity, it allows labs of all sizes to sequence DNA and RNA at the push of a button.
Interested in learning more about TB surveillance products?
Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch.Additional Resources
Genomics for tuberculosis surveillance in Mumbai
In this featured article, read how Dr. Camilla Rodrigues is using NGS to fight DR-TB at the P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre in Mumbai, India.
Seeking the source of bacterial drug resistance
Read the interview with Dr. Supply, who discusses the growing problem of DR-TB, the values that Illumina NGS systems bring to their detection, and more.
Fighting drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa
Read what the scientific lead at South Africa’s Centre for Tuberculosis in Johannesburg believes when it comes to detecting and tracking DR-TB using NGS.
Direct bacterial colony sequencing
Eliminate the need for separate DNA isolation and high-accuracy quantitation steps with the streamlined, cost-effective Flex Direct Colony Method.
ECCMID 2023 video of Swapna Uplekar
In this talk, Dr. Swapna Uplekar, Senior Scientific Officer at FIND, Switzerland, shows how to enable targeted NGS for detection and diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
From TB patient to advocate
Read the story about a former TB patient and how he turned his efforts to help others beat the second-leading infectious disease killer worldwide.
References
- Tuberculosis. who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis. Accessed September 20, 2023.
- Castro RAD, Borrell S, Gagneux S. The within-host evolution of antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2021 Aug 17;45(4) doi: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa071
- The use of next-generation sequencing technologies for the detection of mutations associated with drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex: technical guide. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. iris.who.int/handle/10665/274443. Accessed September 21, 2023.
- Jouet A, Gaudin C, Badalato N, et al. Deep amplicon sequencing for culture-free prediction of susceptibility or resistance to 13 anti-tuberculous drugs. Eur Respir J. 2021 Mar 18;57(3):2002338. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02338-2020.
- Guidance for the surveillance of drug resistance in tuberculosis, sixth edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. iris.who.int/handle/10665/339760. Accessed September 21,2023.