Comparison of the socio-demographic and clinical features of pulmonary TB patients infected with sub-lineages within the W-Beijing and non-Beijing Mycobacterium tuberculosis

摘要

Background: Highly lethal outbreaks of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis are increasing. Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant Beijing family and its members is regarded as a successful clone of M. tuberculosis that is associated with drug resistance in China. Understanding the genetic characteristics and molecular mechanism of drug resistant tuberculosis within Beijing family may help to clarify its origin and evolutionary history and the driving forces behind its emergence and current dissemination.