Study on Mycobacterium kansasii transmission and genomic diversity in urban settings.
- Study investigated environmental factors associated with genetic relatedness of Mycobacterium kansasii infection in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, using whole-genome sequencing data and spatial analysis.
- Patients living in districts served by water purification plants, Weng Park and Fongshan, were at greater risk of being infected with genetically similar M. kansasii isolates.
- Specific water sources and industrial areas were found to be associated with the risk for M. kansasii infection transmission, suggesting environmental sources of acquisition.
- Findings suggest that transmission of M. kansasii might be linked to water sources and purification methods, emphasizing the need for further environmental investigations and control measures.
- Authors combined WGS sequencing, spatial information, and Bayesian modeling to reveal insights into the transmission of M. kansasii, highlighting the importance of understanding the environmental factors influencing infection outcomes.
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Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary Medicine, Public Health & Prevention, Epidemiology