(Proyecto) Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genetic Diversity in Dominican Republic and its impact in the clinical outcome.
(Proyecto) Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genetic Diversity in Dominican Republic and its impact in the clinical outcome.
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Date
2026
Authors
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Peña
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Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health concern, killing around 1.5 million individuals yearly. One of the most striking features of TB is the wide spectrum of disease outcomes, which has been primarily attributed to the life-style, immune system and genetic variability of the human host. Growing evidences suggest that the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis may also have important clinical consequences. Six lineages of M. tuberculosis have been described based on large chromosomic deletions and shown to associate with specific populations or geographic localizations. Moreover, the heterogenecity found in M. tuberculosis strains, accounts for distinct immune responses, but the impact of this variability in clinics are not fully understood. Therefore, additional studies linking M. tuberculosis genotypes to specific immune responses and clinical outcomes are required and critical to investigate the complex genetic interplay between the human host / M. tuberculosis. In collaboration with… M. tuberculosis positive samples will be collected along with patient clinical data. Genetic variability of M. tuberculosis isolates will be determined using molecular biology approaches to determine the different genetic lineages present. The determine pathogen phylogenetic diversity along with the patient’s data will be then combined to unravel possible associations of specific M. tuberculosis phylogenies with clinical manifestations of TB. We believe that this project is unique and critical to investigate the complex genetic interplay between the human host/ M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, in future we aim at expanding this study and abroad, through a collaborative network set up to study molecular epidemiology in the context of TB.
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Objetivo General:
To unravel determinants of TB progression in a bacteria perspective, by combining the study of