Open AccessDifferences between tuberculosis cases infected with Mycobacterium africanum , West African type 2, relative to Euro‐American Mycobacterium tuberculosis : an update
Author(s) -
De Jong Bouke C.,
Adetifa Ifedayo,
Walther Brigitte,
Hill Philip C.,
Antonio Martin,
Ota Martin,
Adegbola Richard A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2009.00628.x
Subject(s) - tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , biology , disease , mycobacterium tuberculosis complex , cohort , mycobacterium , immunology , virology , medicine , pathology
Mycobacterium africanum (MAF) is a common cause of human pulmonary tuberculosis in West Africa. We previously described phenotypic differences between MAF and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) among 290 patients. In the present analysis, we compared 692 tuberculosis patients infected with the two most common lineages within the (MTB) complex found in the Gambia, namely MAF West African type 2 (39% prevalence) and Euro‐American MTB (55% prevalence). We identified additional phenotypic differences between infections with these two organisms. MAF patients were more likely to be older and HIV infected. In addition, they had worse disease on chest X‐ray, despite complaining of cough for an equal duration, and were more likely severely malnourished. In this cohort, the prevalence of MAF did not change significantly over a 7‐year period.