N. C. Gey van Pittius

TL;DR: A two-step, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on genomic regions of difference allowed for rapid differentiation of members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, making it suitable for routine laboratories and surveillance purposes.

TL;DR: The tubercle bacillus has become a central player in the epidemiology of diarrheal disease and its role in this disease has become increasingly important in the management of infectious disease outbreaks.

TL;DR: The evidence of hypervirulence of the Beijing genotype as well as other Beijing-associated phenotypic characteristics such as alternate host immune modulation, clinical and pathological features, drug resistance, resistance to BCG vaccination and other epidemiological features are reviewed to enhance the understanding of the contribution of pathogenic factors.

TL;DR: The elements that might influence the mycobacterial mutation rate in vivo are considered and the potential roles of constitutive and transient mutator states in the generation of drug resistance mutations are evaluated.

TL;DR: The detection of M. tuberculosis in culture-negative specimens confirmed that molecular assays should not be used for treatment monitoring, and the GenoType MTBDRplus (v2.0) assay will complement the Xpert MTB/RIF screening assay by validating rifampin susceptibility and providing information on isoniazid susceptibility.