Total RNA-Seq on sputum samples from patients with active tuberculosis. Metatranscriptomes of Tuberculous Sputum

Total RNA from sputum collected from patients with active tuberculosis (TB) was analysed by RNA sequencing. The transcription phenotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) was found to resemble that of actively replicating bacteria in laboratory culture. Transcription profiling of commensal bacteria in the sputum provided further provide details in of the sputum environment. Understanding of the microbiology and microbial ecology of Mtb after release from tuberculous lesions may reveal novel opportunities to modulate the efficiency of disease transmission.

本研究对活动性肺结核（Tuberculosis, TB）患者痰液样本中的总RNA进行了RNA测序分析。结果显示，结核分枝杆菌（Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mtb）的转录表型与实验室培养中活跃复制的细菌转录表型高度相似。对痰液中共生细菌的转录组分析进一步阐明了痰液微环境的具体特征。深入阐明结核分枝杆菌从结核病灶释放后的微生物学特性与微生物生态，有望为调控疾病传播效率提供全新的干预思路。