Gene Mutation Characteristics and Cluster Analysis of Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Urumqi

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is difficult to treat and has a high transmission risk and a poor prognosis, imposing a severe burden on patients and their families. The aim of this study is to explore the molecular biological characteristics of MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in Urumqi through the analysis of gene mutations and the clustering patterns of MDR MTB strains.

This study focused on TB patients diagnosed and registered with culture-positive MTB who were over the age of 16 in Urumqi. The GenoType MTBDRplus assay and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat techniques were employed to analyze gene mutations and the genetic clustering of MDR-TB strains in Urumqi.

Among the 319 MTB strains analyzed, the Beijing genotype was predominant, accounting for 49.53%. Of the MDR MTB strains, 14 were identified, with the Beijing genotype being the most prevalent (73.68%), and the prevalence of MDR MTB in Beijing strains was 8.86%. The clustering rate of MDR MTB in Urumqi was found to be 5.26%. In addition, a special genotype was observed.

The molecular biological characteristics of MDR MTB in Urumqi exhibit distinct features. Therefore, modern molecular epidemiological techniques, such as molecular biology and deoxyribonucleic acid fingerprinting, are critical for improving diagnostic speed, enabling effective case tracking, and investigating the sources of transmission in the region.