Tuberculosis enhanced transmission due to interterritorial mobility and prolonged diagnostic delay: a call for an integrated genomic analysis - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Increased Tuberculosis Transmission Linked to Cross-Border Mobility and Extended Diagnostic Delays: Advocating for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis

  • By

  • Sheri M. Saleeb

  • Silvia Vallejo-Godoy

  • Andrea Marcos-Abellán

  • Pilar Barroso-García

  • Marta López-Llaría

  • Miguel Martínez-Lirola

  • Francisca Escabias-Machuca

  • María Teresa Cabezas Fernández

  • Guadalupe Bernal

  • Linfeng Wang

  • Elisa Fernandez-Fuertes

  • Sergio Buenestado-Serrano

  • Francisco Jose Martínez Martínez

  • Mariana G. López

  • Iñaki Comas

  • Mercedes Guida Piqueras

  • Andrea López-Suárez

  • Patricia Muñoz

  • Begoña Santiago-García

  • Laura Pérez-Lago

  • September 22, 2026

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  • 1

    Whole-genome sequencing helps identify related tuberculosis (TB) cases and investigate transmission beyond a single surveillance area.

  • 2

    Movement between Almería and Madrid complicated the investigation of a TB cluster spanning both regions.

  • 3

    One patient had symptoms for at least a year before diagnosis. The authors identified the prolonged delay as a likely contributor to extensive transmission.

  • 4

    Combining genomic data, detailed patient interviews, and targeted strain sequencing helped identify a 13-case cluster.

  • 5

    Follow-up interviews uncovered stays in Madrid and possible exposures at social gatherings that were not apparent from the initial investigation.

Original Source(s)

Tuberculosis enhanced transmission due to interterritorial mobility and prolonged diagnostic delay: a call for an integrated genomic analysis

  • by Sheri M. Saleeb, Silvia Vallejo-Godoy, Andrea Marcos-Abellán, Pilar Barroso-García, Marta López-Llaría, Miguel Martínez-Lirola, Francisca Escabias-Machuca, María Teresa Cabezas Fernández, Guadalupe Bernal, Linfeng Wang, Elisa Fernandez-Fuertes, Sergio Buenestado-Serrano, Francisco Jose Martínez Martínez, Mariana G. López, Iñaki Comas, Mercedes Guida Piqueras, Andrea López-Suárez, Patricia Muñoz, Begoña Santiago-García, Laura Pérez-Lago

  • September 22, 2026

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