Evolutionary History of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Author Information
Author(s): Wirth Thierry, Hildebrand Falk, Allix-Béguec Caroline, Wölbeling Florian, Kubica Tanja, Kremer Kristin, van Soolingen Dick, Rüsch-Gerdes Sabine, Locht Camille, Brisse Sylvain, Meyer Axel, Supply Philip, Niemann Stefan
Primary Institution: University of Konstanz
Hypothesis
The study aims to understand the evolutionary timing and spread of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC).
Conclusion
The MTBC emerged approximately 40,000 years ago and has two major lineages, one of which spread from humans to animals.
Supporting Evidence
- The MTBC consists of two independent clades, one exclusively from humans and the other from both animals and humans.
- Bayesian statistics estimated the age of the MTBC at 40,000 years.
- Coalescence analysis revealed a strong demographic expansion in M. tuberculosis coinciding with human population growth.
Takeaway
Scientists studied a germ that causes tuberculosis and found it has been around for a very long time, spreading from humans to animals.
Methodology
The study used genetic markers based on mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRUs) to analyze the evolutionary history of MTBC.
Limitations
The study's estimates have large confidence intervals, indicating uncertainty in the timing of evolutionary events.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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