High resolution discrimination of clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains based on single nucleotide polymorphisms.

ABSTRACT: Recently, the diversity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) population structure has been described in detail. Based on geographical separation and specific host pathogen co-evolution shaping MTBC virulence traits, at least 20 major lineages/genotypes have evolved finally leading to a clear influence of strain genetic background on transmissibility, clinical presentation/outcome, and resistance development. Therefore, high resolution genotyping for characterization of strains in larger studies is mandatory for understanding mechanisms of host-pathogen-interaction and to improve tuberculosis (TB) control. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent the most reliable markers for lineage classification of clinical isolates due to the low levels of homoplasy, however their us

SUBMITTER: Homolka S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3388094 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature