Resistance to Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in South African Population

Despite significant exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), some humans remain uninfected, as defined by persistently negative immune sensitization tests (tuberculin skin test, TST; interferon gamma release assays, IGRA). To explore mechanisms of natural resistance to Mtb infection, we profiled tissues from highly-exposed Mtb contacts from South Africa. The cohort in this submission were gold miners in South Africa who had worked in the mining industry >= 15 years with presumed high Mtb exposure, based on extreme tuberculosis incidence rates and high prevalence of latent Mtb infection (Chihota et al. 2022, PMID: 35302992; Ntshiqa et al. 2021, doi: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13191.1). TST and IGRA testing were performed at enrollment of gold miners, some of whom remained... (for more see dbGaP study page.)