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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Biofilms
Published on: February 15, 2012
Origins and properties of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in London
Jeremy W Dale1, Graham H Bothamley1, Francis Drobniewski1
1School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK 2NE London TB Network, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, London E9 6SR, UK 3HPA Mycobacterial Reference Unit, Guy's, Kings and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London SE22 8QF, UK 4Centre for Medical Microbiology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London NW3 2PF, UK 5Mathematical Modelling and Economics Unit, HPA Centre for Infections, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
Abstract:
Using similarities of IS6110 banding patterns, isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a population-based study in London were assigned to 12 large groups termed 'superfamilies' (sfams). Analysis of patient data showed a marked geographical association in the distribution of these sfams. In particular, isolates from patients born in Europe were from different sfams than those born elsewhere, indicating that there had been relatively little transmission of tuberculosis in London from immigrant communities into the endogenous population. Multivariate analysis showed that certain sfams were significantly associated with pulmonary rather than extrapulmonary disease, or with sputum smear negativity, independently of country of birth or ethnicity, suggesting that the properties of the infecting organism play a role in the nature of the disease process.
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