RAPD discloses high molecular diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Michoacan, Mexico

Random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) is an easy, inexpensive technique for the characterization of pathogens in low-income countries. In this study we used RAPD to assess the genetic diversity of a small collection of isolates of mycobacteria from the Mexican state of Michoacan. In contrast with the low annual tuberculosis incidence in Michoacan relative to the national average, we found a high molecular diversity value suggesting high population diversity of M. tuberculosis in the studied region. Our findings justify further typing efforts with other molecular tools such as MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping.