Mycobacteria of the tuberculosis complex: Genomics, molecular epidemiology, and evolution trends

Abstract

Data accumulated in the last three decades on the molecular epidemiology of mycobacteria making up the tuberculosis complex (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. caprae, M. pinnipedi, M. microti, and M. canettii) are compiled and analyzed. This is the first attempt to classify isolates obtained from tuberculosis patients in various regions of the world on the basis of differences in the mycobacterial genome structure. This classification allows tracing of epidemic chains in tuberculosis outbreaks. A technique for microbiological diagnostics of tuberculosis is elaborated by using molecular epidemiology methods; this provides rapid identification of infectious agents in clinical samples and assessment of their drug resistance. Molecular epidemiology data also form the grounds for our concept of the evolution of mycobacteria belonging to the tuberculosis complex.