Association of mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) respiration chain genes with hyper-transmission
Yameng Li,
Yifan Li,
Yao Liu,
Xianglong Kong,
Ningning Tao,
Yawei Hou,
Tingting Wang,
Qilin Han,
Yuzhen Zhang,
Fei Long,
Huaichen Li
Affiliations
Yameng Li
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
Yifan Li
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences)
Yao Liu
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
Xianglong Kong
Artificial Intelligence Institute Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
Ningning Tao
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
Yawei Hou
Institute of Chinese Medical Literature and Culture of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Tingting Wang
Clinical Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine , The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qilin Han
Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences
Yuzhen Zhang
Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences
Fei Long
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences)
Huaichen Li
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
Abstract Background The respiratory chain plays a key role in the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). However, the exact regulatory mechanisms of this system still need to be elucidated, and only a few studies have investigated the impact of genetic mutations within the respiratory chain on MTBC transmission. This study aims to explore the impact of respiratory chain gene mutations on the global spread of MTBC. Results A total of 13,402 isolates of MTBC were included in this study. The majority of the isolates (n = 6,382, 47.62%) belonged to lineage 4, followed by lineage 2 (n = 5,123, 38.23%). Our findings revealed significant associations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of specific genes and transmission clusters. These SNPs include Rv0087 (hycE, G178T), Rv1307 (atpH, C650T), Rv2195 (qcrA, G181C), Rv2196 (qcrB, G1250T), Rv3145 (nuoA, C35T), Rv3149 (nuoE, G121C), Rv3150 (nuoF, G700A), Rv3151 (nuoG, A1810G), Rv3152 (nuoH, G493A), and Rv3157 (nuoM, A1243G). Furthermore, our results showed that the SNPs of atpH C73G, atpA G271C, qcrA G181C, nuoJ G115A, nuoM G772A, and nuoN G1084T were positively correlated with cross-country transmission clades and cross-regional transmission clades. Conclusions Our study uncovered an association between mutations in respiratory chain genes and the transmission of MTBC. This important finding provides new insights for future research and will help to further explore new mechanisms of MTBC pathogenicity. By uncovering this association, we gain a more complete understanding of the processes by which MTBC increases virulence and spread, providing potential targets and strategies for preventing and treating tuberculosis.
