Enhanced tuberculosis outbreak investigation using whole genome sequencing and IGRA

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a new powerful technology for characterisation of bacterial genomes and has been used successfully to investigate Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates associated with tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks and to elucidate mutations conferring drug resistance [1–6]. Enhanced contact investigation and improved diagnosis and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) are an important strategy for TB control and elimination [7–10]. TB outbreak investigation can be enhanced by using whole genome sequencing, IGRA and social network analysis We would like to thank Freek de Bruin (Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands) for creating the figures, Androulla Efstratiou (Public Health England, Colindale, UK) and Aftab Jasir (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden) for critically reading the manuscript, and the technicians of THL Mycobacterial Reference Laboratory for excellent technical assistance. We also thank the personnel from the Infection Control Unit, School Health and Occupational Health of the City of Turku, the Chest Clinic and the Hospital Hygiene and Infection Control of Turku University Hospital.