The TDR Tuberculosis Strain Bank: a resource for basic science, tool development and diagnostic services

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2012 Jan;16(1):24-31. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.11.0223.

Abstract

Background: The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases recently launched a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain bank (TDR-TB Strain Bank).

Objective: To describe the TDR-TB Strain Bank, the characterisation of strains, bank management and the procedure for releasing materials.

Results: The TDR-TB Strain Bank consists of 229 clinical M. tuberculosis isolates (single-colony derived cultures) plus five mycobacterial reference strains for purposes of identification. These are available as freeze-dried, viable strains or as heat-inactivated bacterial suspensions, quality controlled for purity, viability and authenticity. Isolates originated from diverse geographical settings and were selected for their resistance profiles against first- and second-line drugs. Low and high levels of resistance were determined by the minimum inhibitory concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, streptomycin, ofloxacin, kanamycin, capreomycin, ethionamide and para-aminosalicylic acid. Sequencing for drug resistance mutations was performed on the relevant sections of the rpoB, katG, inhA, embB, rpsL, rrs, gyrA and gyrB genes. Typing using lineage-defining loci of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeats indicated that the most important genetic lineages were represented.

Conclusions: The TDR-TB Strain Bank is a high quality bioresource for basic science, supporting the development of new diagnostics and drug-resistant detection tools and providing reference materials for laboratory quality management programmes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biological Specimen Banks* / organization & administration
  • Biological Specimen Banks* / standards
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Mutation
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / classification*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / genetics
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Program Development
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis / microbiology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents