_Genetic_Characterization_of_Vibrio_cholerae_O1_isolates_from_outbreaks_between_2011_and_2015_in_Tanzania. _Genetic_Characterization_of_Vibrio_cholerae_O1_isolates_from_outbreaks_between_2011_and_2015_in_Tanzania

Cholera outbreaks have occurred in Tanzania since 1974. To date, the genetic epidemiology of these outbreaks has not been assessed. 96 Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates from five regions were characterized, and their genetic relatedness assessed using multi-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Of the 48 MLVA genotypes observed, 3 were genetically unrelated to any others, while the remaining 45 genotypes separated into three MLVA clonal complexes (CCs) - each comprised of genotypes differing by a single allelic change. In Kigoma, two separate outbreaks, 4 months apart (January and May, 2015), were each caused by genetically distinct strains by MLVA and WGS. Remarkably, one MLVA CC contained isolates from both the May outbreak and ones from the 2011/2012 outbreak in Dar-es-Salaam. However, WGS revealed the isolates from the two outbreaks to be distinct clades. The outbreak that started in August 2015 in Dar-es-Salaam and spread to Morogoro, Singida and Mara was comprised of a single MLVA CC and WGS clade. Isolates from within an outbreak were closely related differing at fewer than 5 nucleotides. All isolates were part of the 3rd wave of the 7th pandemic and were found in four clades related to isolates from Kenya and Asia. We conclude that genetically related V. cholerae cluster in outbreaks, and distinct strains circulate simultaneously. 2) This data has been described in the following article (doi or ref) and its further analysis can be freely submitted for publication. For information on the proper use of data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute... https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2252-9