About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Industrialization, World War I, Soviet Collapse Helped Spread of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis

by Dr. Trupti Shirole on January 20, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Font : A-A+

 Industrialization, World War I, Soviet Collapse Helped Spread of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis

Some of the drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria have spread from East Asia in waves propelled by industrialization, World War I and Soviet collapse, according to a study published in the journal Nature Genetics. Researchers studied nearly 5,000 TB samples from 99 countries and pinpointed changes in the DNA code to draw a partial family tree of the germ Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Researchers claim that a branch of that tree known as the 'Beijing lineage' begins in a region around northeast China, Korea and Japan some 6,600 years ago. Thereafter, it evolved into several sub-lineages and strains, spreading eastward to Micronesia and Polynesia and westward to central Asia, Russia and eastern Europe. The migration waves have become more pronounced over the past two centuries, owing to industrialization and urbanization, as well as episodes of widespread deprivation like World War I that brought infected and vulnerable people close together.

Advertisement

Study co-author Thierry Wirth said, "Among the toughest modern-day versions, two multidrug resistant (MDR) clones, started spreading through eastern Europe and Asia on an epidemic scale about 20-30 years ago, coinciding with the collapse of the public health system of the former Soviet Union."

Only a single decrease was visible on a chart plotting the global spread of the 'Beijing lineage' from the year 1500 to 2000, which coincided with a rise in antibiotic use in the 1960s and ended with the HIV epidemic from the 1980s.

TB is theorized to be about 40,000 years old. MDR strains, which do not respond to front-line antibiotics, are a major concern as they are costly and difficult to treat. Unraveling the disease's genetic history may offer pointers for tackling its spread.

Source: Medindia
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Research News

 Carrying Alzheimer's Disease Genes May Increase the Risk of Developing Epilepsy
Is there a link between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease? Yes, certain genes associated with Alzheimer's disease may increase the risk of developing epilepsy.
Insomnia Drug Class may Not Increase Exacerbation Risks
More research is needed to understand the risks of hypnotics among COPD patients and then optimize treatment strategies.
New Treatment Protocol for Brain Hemorrhage
Among hemorrhage patients, combination treatment protocol compared to usual care reduced poor functional outcomes.
How Can Life Stressors Affect Multiple Sclerosis Flares?
Life stressors were found to lead to multiple sclerosis, revealed study.
 High-Sugar Diet Damaging the Gut May Worsen Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Diet containing increased amounts of sugar may interrupt the function of resident intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that maintain gut lining after inflammatory damage.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Industrialization, World War I, Soviet Collapse Helped Spread of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests