Insights into the origin, emergence, and current spread of a successful Russian clone of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant Beijing B0/W148 is regarded as a successful clone of M. tuberculosis that is widespread in the former Soviet Union and respective immigrant communities. Understanding the pathobiology and phylogeography of this notorious strain may help to clarify its origin and evolutionary history and the driving forces behind its emergence and current dissemination. I present the first review and analysis of all available data on the subject. In spite of the common perception of the omnipresence of B0/W148 across post-Soviet countries, its geographic distribution shows a peculiar clinal gradient. Its frequency peaks in Siberian Russia and, to a lesser extent, in the European part of the former Soviet Union. In contrast, the frequency of B0/W148 is sharply decreased in

SUBMITTER: Mokrousov I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3623382 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature