The microbiota of the deep lung regions significantly differs from that of the upper respiratory tract by much lower biomass and dynamic diversity. In our previous studies we found that the biodiversity of the satellite microbiota of tuberculosis foci is sharply reduced in comparison with intact lung tissues. These findings allowed us to classify microbial communities in the caseous necrosis of tuberculomas into two types: (i) mycobacterial caseoma (tuberculoma), where 70% or more of the genomes correspond to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and (ii) a polymicrobial community, where the concentration of M. tuberculosis varies from 0 to 10%. Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, 14 tuberculomas from 13 patients were analyzed on a NextSeq 550 platform (Illumina). Taxonomic classification of short reads was performed using Kraken 2. The results show that, on average, 99.95% of the short reads belonged to human DNA or were unclassified. However, the classified reads related to bacterial genomes confirmed the concept that in many cases, tuberculomas contained polymicrobial communities that either replaced or supplemented the original mycobacterial microbiota of the caseous material.

Background. Bedaquiline is a new and promising anti-tuberculosis drug, but longterm use requires resistance. This is due to mutations in the atpE and mmpR genes in M. tuberculosis (MBT).The aim of the research was to test a system for automated interpretation of results for predicting resistance to bedaquiline by the molecular data.Materials and methods. DNA was isolated from strains of M. tuberculosis in the Irkutsk region and Yakutia. The total quantity of DNA samples was 27 strains from Yakutia and 21 strains from the Irkutsk region. The study of MBT genomes was carried out on the DNA previously obtained by the authors in the territories of the Irkutsk region (n = 5), Yakutia (n = 4), Buryatia (n = 3), Zabaykalskiy kray (n = 4) and the Far East (n = 8). We used the BSATool program to detect bedaquiline resistance based on Sanger and genomic data. Sanger sequencing analyzed the atpE and mmpR genes, and whole genome sequencing examined mutations in the same sequences, as well as additionally in mmpL5, mmpS5, Rv0678, Rv1979c, and pepQ.Results. Complete agreement between the phenotypic and genotypic analysis of resistance to bedaquiline was found for three strains from Yakutia. One genome with significant mutations to bedaquiline was identified. A conclusion was made about the importance of molecular analysis of target genes with subsequent detection of resistance to bedaquiline in silico.

The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is the largest administrative-territorial unit in the world, more than 40% of its territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle. At the same time, the population of the republic is the lowest among all subjects of the Russian Federation (0.32 people/km2). All this together significantly distinguishes this region from other territories of Russia. The purpose of this study: to assess the main manifestations of the epidemic process of chronic hepatitis C on the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) at the stage of implementation of the national program for the elimination of viral hepatitis. Materials and methods. An epidemiological analysis of chronic hepatitis C and liver cancer was carried out for the period from 2000 to 2019. The incidence of liver cancer was assessed according to ICD-10, in which malignant neoplasms of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts are summarized under code C22. Statistical analysis was carried out in the application package R. The study of differences in the distribution of incidence rates of chronic hepatitis C and malignant liver diseases between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) was carried out using the method of nonparametric assessment of the weighted average median of the Mann-Whitney test. Results and discussion. The decrease in the intensity of the incidence of acute and chronic hepatitis C in Russia was unidirectional in nature with a fairly close manifestation of their long-term movement. In contrast, in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) there was a significantly less pronounced decrease in the incidence of acute hepatitis C (4.9 times, rate of increase -6.2%), and the incidence of chronic hepatitis C in general for the entire analyzed period was cyclical and had a pronounced upward trend (2.4 times growth, rate of increase +2.6%). It was shown that there are statistically significant differences (p<0.01) between the median incidence rates of chronic hepatitis C and malignant liver diseases between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Conclusion. To achieve the appropriate targets for hepatitis C elimination in the country, it is necessary to take into account the specific natural, climatic, social and ethnic characteristics of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Keywords: epidemiology, morbidity; hepatitis C; liver cancer; The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

Normal lung microbiota is a small number of transient microbes; however, respiratory pathology may be associated with persistent microbial colonization of the lungs. It remains a poorly understood and mysterious part of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis infection.The review considers the general pathogenetic mechanisms of the effect of lung microbiota in respiratory pathology and presents the main methodological difficulties in the study of the lung microbiome. This review is aimed at analyzing the results of the available studies on diverse microbial composition of human lungs in tuberculosis using metagenomic sequencing methods. Despite high variability of the presented data, we can conclude that dysbiosis in tuberculosis is more often characterized by a decrease in bacterial diversity and enrichment of lung microbiota with anaerobic bacteria. Acinetobacter, Campylobacter, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus, as well as some other microorganisms are indicated as important pathogenetic factors of dysbiosis in pulmonary tuberculosis, the role of which is yet to be elucidated.

— The S genotype (first described in Sicily, hence the name) is a part of the Euro-American lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Here, we report a method for its detection based on PCR-RFLP of the Rv0557 gene. The method was optimized on strains with known whole genome sequences and further applied to screening the DNA collections from Russia, Bulgaria, China, Japan, and Vietnam. PCR-RFLP analysis confirmed the S genotype in strains with the spoligotypes SIT34 (ancestral to S) and SIT1253 (Yakutia strains). Strains from Bulgaria with abridged spoligoprofiles SIT4 and SIT125 were also assigned to the S genotype. The developed method provides for rapid detection of the M. tuberculosis S genotype and reliably resolves phylogenetic ambiguity of the disputed spoligotypes.

Background. Kemerovo Region has a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) with incidence rates twice the national average. The circulating variants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis significantly influence the TB epidemic process. Screening of epidemically significant variants of the pathogen in areas with a high burden of TB underlies epidemiological diagnosis and is necessary for the development of effective prevention measures. However, the population structure of M. tuberculosis in the Kemerovo Region — Kuzbass is poorly understood. Aims: to study genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs of M. tuberculosis strains in the Kemerovo Region. Materials and methods. The MIRU-VNTR genotyping of 163 M. tuberculosis strains isolated from TB patients in the Kemerovo Region in March–October 2022 was carried out. Cultivation of M. tuberculosis, drug susceptibility testing, and isolation of genomic DNA were carried out by standard methods. Genotypic identification was performed using MIRU-VNTR (24 loci) typing. In parallel, express genotyping was carried out: identification of isolates of the Beijing genotype (by RD105/207) and non-Beijing; subtyping Beijing using real-time PCR tests for detection of Central Asian Russian and B0/W148; identification of the non-Beijing group by real-tine PCR RT tests for LAM, S, Ural. Results. The isolates of the Beijing genotype (67.5%) were found to dominate both among newly diagnosed (64.4%) and previously treated patients (88.5%). MIRU-VNTR typing revealed 75 profiles, of which 94-32 (35.3%) and 100-32 (15.7%) were the most abundant and belonged to the Beijing genotype. Overall, 39.9% and 20.9% of isolates, respectively, were assigned to the Beijing Central Asian Russian and B0/W148 epidemic clusters, which differed significantly in MDR levels (50.8% and 85.3%, respectively; p = 0.005). The second most common were strains of the genetic family of the Euro-American lineage (L4) (31.9%): LAM (6.7%) Ural (7.4%) Haarlem (4.9%) and L4-unclassified (12.9%), MDR among of these minor genotypes was significantly lower than among Beijing genotype strains, and amounted to 11.5% (p 0.001). Strains from HIV-TB patients (56.4% of the total sample) carried an MDR profile more often (54.8%) compared to TB cases without HIV infection (35.2%) (p = 0.005), which may be due to higher proportion of Beijing genotype strains in the HIV-TB group (75.0% vs. 57.7%; p = 0.026). Complete comparability of the SNP analysis (in-house tests) to identify the main genotypes and epidemically significant Beijing subtypes was shown, which made it possible to characterize 75.5% of the sample by the express method. Conclusions. The molecular genetic screening carried out in the Kemerovo Region revealed the heterogeneity of the M. tuberculosis population, which was dominated by strains of the Beijing genotype, with the frequency of subtypes comparable with other territories of the Siberian Federal District.

Introduction. The Kemerovo region — Kuzbass is characterized by a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB), including coinfection with HIV (HIV/TB). A previously unknown in Russia relationship between MDR and the Beijing Central Asian Outbreak (CAO) subtype has been discovered, which updates studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis taking into account this resistant variant. Objective: to study the molecular genetic structure of the M. tuberculosis population, to assess the prevalence and possible routes of emergence of Beijing CAO strains in the Kemerovo region — Kuzbass. Materials and methods. A total of 325 M. tuberculosis strains were studied in 2018–2022 using spoligotyping, MIRU-VNTR 24 and SNP typing. Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed for seven Beijing CAO strains. Results. Primary MDR and pre-extensive drug resistance (pre-XDR) were detected in 39.4% and 11.5% of strains, respectively. In the total sample, MDR was 43.4%, pre-XDR — 19.7%. In the structure of the M. tuberculosis population, the Beijing genotype prevailed (78.8%), with its subtypes Central Asian Russian (40.9%) and B0/W148 (32.6%). The Euro-American lineage (27.3%) was represented by the genotypes T (6.5%), LAM (5.8%), Ural (4.9%), H (0.9%); one strain CAS1-Delhi was detected, the genotype of 2.8% of strains was not identified. The proportion of Beijing CAO was 12.6% of the total sample; this subtype was significantly more often detected among HIV/TB (20.6%) than in HIV-negative TB patients (9.1%; p = 0.005). The results of the Beijing CAO genome analysis from the Kemerovo region indicate the absence of a direct chain of transmission between these TB cases. A hypothesis has been put forward about the introduction of Beijing CAO to the Kemerovo region from Central Asia and its endemic circulation in the region. Conclusion. A high level of MDR and pre-XDR was detected in Beijing genotype strains in the M. tuberculosis population of the Kemerovo region — Kuzbass, especially the B0/W148 (97.2%) and CAO (87.5%) subtypes. Beijing CAO strains, detected mainly in newly diagnosed HIV/TB patients, require further monitoring and control of their spreading.

In order to detect an association of the type of acetylation with the development of inflammatory liver diseases under the influence of external factors, rs1495741 polymorphism genotypes were compared in the group of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and in the control group. Significant differences were found in the group of patients eating fried and smoked food. At the same time, the risks of developing inflammatory liver diseases increase at an older age. The rs1495741 polymorphism of the NAT2 gene and the associated type of acetylation do not affect the development of liver disease under the exposure to the external factors.

Background. In phthisiology, all recurrent respiratory tract infections are considered risk factors for tuberculosis (TB) in children. A differentiated assessment of the predictive value of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections will improve the effectiveness of selective TB screening.The aim. To carry out a differentiated assessment of the predictive value of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children with tuberculosis and HIV coinfection.Materials and methods. We conducted a retrospective study (2010–2020) of the anamnestic prevalence of recurrent respiratory tract infections in 249 children divided into 4 groups: 72 healthy children (HC); TB – 65 children with tuberculosis; TB/HIV – 56 children with HIV-associated TB; HIV – 65 children with HIV infection.Results. Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections were detected in the anamnesis of 15 (23 %) children of the TB group and in 3 (4 %) children of the HC group (p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) – 8.6). Lower respiratory tract infections were most common during the year preceding TB disease (11 out of 15 cases), within 2 years before the inclusion of children in the study – in 4 out of 15 cases (p = 0.027; OR = 11.0). In the TB/HIV group, the prevalence of lower respiratory tract infections compared to the HIV group was established only during the year preceding TB – 24 out of 33 cases (73 %) versus 10 out of 34 cases (29 %) in the HIV group (χ2 = 10.9; p = 0.001; OR = 6.4). The occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections in pairs of HC group – TB group and HIV group – TB/HIV group had no statistical differences.Conclusion. The predictor of TB in children regardless of their HIV status is the recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, registered during the year preceding the TB disease. The recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract do not affect the realization of TB in children, regardless of their HIV status.

The aim of this article was to show the labor valour during the Great Patriotic War of the employees of the first research institute in Irkutsk, which began its history in 1912, as well as their success of the present time. The oldest scientific institution in the Irkutsk region was originally created on the initiative of the Siberian Medical Society as a laboratory and was transformed into the Chemical and Bacteriological Institute in 1918, and in 1930 it became the Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the People’s Commissariat of Public Health of Russia.By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the institute had an epidemiological department and a microbiological laboratory that carried out epidemiological surveillance and diagnosis of a wide range of infections in Siberia. During the war years, the manufacturing sector with the production of vaccines and serums acquired particular importance. By the end of the war, 285 employees worked at the institute, 32 of them had higher education. During the war years, the production of vaccines against typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, diphtheria, tuberculosis, and smallpox was significantly increased. Serums against tetanus and measles, and a dysentery bacteriophage were produced. At the same time, research projects and thesis works were carried out. The employees of the institute received national and departmental awards, commendations, honorary distinctions, and rewards for their scientific work and production excellence.Currently, the institute continues the glorious traditions of the past and demonstrates truly heroic efforts in the development of virology and microbiology, working in priority areas of medical and biological science. Of course, the works of scientists of the present time will be appreciated only by descendants, as is now happening with the assessment of the work of the Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology during the Great Patriotic War.

The dynamics of lung microbiota in tuberculosis remains poorly understood. Sequencing of variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene from surgically excised tuberculosis foci and biopsy specimens of normal lung tissue allowed characterization of the diversity and predictive potential of bacterial communities. Taxonomic diversity indices attested to differences in the structure of microbial communities between "healthy" lungs and tuberculomas. The microbial composition of "healthy" lungs varied in taxonomic diversity and was presented by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria with sufficiently similar metabolic potential. The microbiota of the examined tuberculomas consisted of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 99.9% of cases. A significant part of the metabolic pathways predicted by PICRUSt2 included cholesterol catabolism, sulfate assimilation, and various pathways for the biosynthesis of cell wall components.

Background. For historical reasons, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) varies significantly across geographic areas of the Russian Federation. This situation may be associated with the spread of the dominant Beijing genotype of M. tuberculosis (MBT) and of its aggressive B0/W148 subtype in the human population. Establishing a relationship between these genetic variants of MBT and the incidence of tuberculosis will serve as evidence of their epidemiological significance and a reason for decisionmaking in the TB epidemiological surveillance system.The aim of the study. To assess the relationship between the spread of the Beijing M. tuberculosis genotype and its B0/W148 subtype with the incidence of tuberculosis in the cumulative population of the European and Asian parts of the Russian Federation.Materials and methods. An epidemiological study was conducted, including an analysis of the distribution data of the Beijing genotype of MBT and its B0/W148 subtype (meta-analysis) in Russia and a study of TB incidence rates in the same regions. To assess the relationship, we used the Pearson’s chi-square test (χ2); the significance level when testing statistical hypotheses (p) was taken as 0.05.Results. In the European regions of the Russian Federation, a statistically significant relationship was found between the TB incidence and the prevalence of MBT Beijing genotype (χ2 = 17.2; p = 0.009) and the absence of such a relationship with the B0/W148 subline (χ2 = 9.9; p = 0.127). In the Asian part of the Russian Federation, a highly statistically significant association was found between the incidence of TB and both the incidence of MBT Beijing genotype (χ2 = 25.4; p = 0.0001) and the incidence of its B0/W148 subtype (χ2 = 29.6; p < 0.0001).Conclusion. A statistically significant relationship was established between the incidence of TB in the general population and the incidence of MBT Beijing genotype, regardless of the value of the average long-term TB incidence rate. In areas with high TB prevalence, a stable association was determined between the incidence rate not only with MBT of the entire Beijing family, but also with its aggressive subtype B0/W148.

A number of facultative-anaerobic lipophilic microorganisms, including representatives of Corynebacterium and Staphylococcaceae, inhabit the necrotic contents of tuberculomas. A strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated from caseum; its genome was fully sequenced and gene-mapped. The coagulase-negative Staphylococcus belonged to the MLST 73 genotype and was resistant to two antituberculosis drugs. The strain phenotypically had urease, gelatinase, and beta-hemolytic activities and possessed the corresponding genes. Similar to S. epidermidis O47, its genome consists of a single chromosome containing approximately 2.4 million base pairs, and oriC has the same orientation. A total of 2333 genes were identified, of which 2206 were coding genes. In contigs of the genome, sequences of plasmid replication genes were found: rep7a, rep13, rep5b, and pSK1. Phylogenetic analysis indicates the closeness of the analyzed genome to a large group of European strains. Considering the biochemical and microbiological properties of the isolated strain, we hypothesize that staphylococci and other facultative-anaerobic satellite microorganisms of tuberculosis foci may play an important role in caseum liquefaction owing to their own proteolytic activity and attraction of neutrophils to the focus of inflammation.

Relevance. The globalization of the epidemic process requires improved surveillance of infectious diseases, in particular tuberculosis.Methods of molecular and genomic analysis are the most informative approaches that can radically change the management of this disease.Aims. To substantiate the necessary and sufficient volume of molecular studies for the exhaustive detection of most epidemic genotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Russia and the countries of the former USSR.Conclusions. Genetic lines L2 (Beijing) and L4 (Euro-American) cover more than 95% of all epidemic genotypes of M. tuberculosis in Russia and the countries of the former USSR. The development of rapid tests compatible with global data on genomic polymorphism will make it possible to conduct an epidemiological analysis of tuberculosis outbreaks within the country and to differ from cases of transbordern transmission of new genotypes outside.

Slow acetylation of substrate is associated with drug-induced liver damage and transformation of viral and alcohol hepatitis in cirrhosis. Increasing xenobiotic load is a significant factor in development of metabolic associated liver diseases. This interaction between genotype and environment should be studied to reveal disease pathogenesis. We analysed polymorphism rs1495741 genotypes in control group and in patients with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and non-alcohol fatty liver disease to evaluate association of acetylation type with liver disease development. As part of the study, patients filled the questionnaire to assess xenobiotic load. The rs1495741 polymorphism was detected by real-time PCR. Significant differences were revealed in the criptogenic liver cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease groups in patients consuming fried and smoked foods (OR: 5,49 at p<0,05); in combination with older age (>55) the risk increases by 7.57 times (p<0,05). However, no association of the rs1495741 polymorphism with the development of liver diseases was identified. Keywords: N-acetyltransferase 2, polymorphism, cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Abstract Background Rifampin-resistant and/or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) treatment requires multiple drugs, and outcomes remain suboptimal. Some drugs are associated with improved outcome. It is unknown whether particular pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships predict outcome. Methods Adults with pulmonary RR/MDR-TB in Tanzania, Bangladesh, and the Russian Federation receiving local regimens were enrolled from June 2016 to July 2018. Serum was collected after 2, 4, and 8 weeks for each drug’s area under the concentration-time curve over 24 hours (AUC0–24). Quantitative susceptibility of the M. tuberculosis isolate was measured by minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Individual drug AUC0–24/MIC targets were assessed by adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for favorable treatment outcome, and hazard ratios (HRs) for time to sputum culture conversion. K-means clustering algorithm separated the cohort of the most common multidrug regimen into 4 clusters by AUC0–24/MIC exposures. Results Among 290 patients, 62 (21%) experienced treatment failure, including 30 deaths. Moxifloxacin AUC0–24/MIC target of 58 was associated with favorable treatment outcome (OR, 3.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–11.56; P = .022); levofloxacin AUC0–24/MIC of 118.3, clofazimine AUC0–24/MIC of 50.5, and pyrazinamide AUC0–24 of 379 mg × h/L were associated with faster culture conversion (HR >1.0, P < .05). Other individual drug exposures were not predictive. Clustering by AUC0–24/MIC revealed that those with the lowest multidrug exposures had the slowest culture conversion. Conclusions Amidst multidrug regimens for RR/MDR-TB, serum pharmacokinetics and M. tuberculosis MICs were variable, yet defined parameters to certain drugs—fluoroquinolones, pyrazinamide, clofazimine—were predictive and should be optimized to improve clinical outcome. Clinical Trials Registration NCT03559582.

Background . The study of the lower respiratory tract microbiome has been actively developed inrecent years with the help of whole genome sequencing (WGS) methods. Due to this, it became clear that the nature of the lungs microbiota is very different from other microbial communities inhabiting the human body. One of the important directions in the study of pathological lungs biocenosis is the study of the role of the satellite microbiota of the tuberculosis focus. The aim of the work . To isolate and characterize oxygen-tolerant anaerobes from the necrotic contents of tuberculomas. Materials and methods . Biopsy material from 5 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was obtained during a planned surgical treatment of tuberculoma. A pure culture was isolated from one sample during anaerobic cultivation. Lipase activity of strain was determined by plating on brain heart infusion agar (HIMEDIA, India) supplemented with 0.1 % Tween-80 and 10 mM of CaCl 2 . Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by RAPMYCO and SLOWMYCO of TREK Diagnostic Systems (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). DNA from the sediment of the broth culture was isolated by the CTAB chloroform method. Whole genome sequencing was performed on a DNBSeq-G400 NGS sequencer by Genomed (Russia). Results . Based on WGS results and phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified as Corynebacterium kefirresidentii. The strain was characterized by high lipase activity and resistance only to Isoniazid, Ethionamide and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazolin. Conclusion . The isolation of a lipophilic anaerobic representative of the Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum species complex from a tuberculous focus indicates a possible role of the non-tuberculous microbiota in the liquefaction of caseous necrosis. We assumed that in some cases, favorable conditions are created inside the tuberculous focus for the development of satellite anaerobic lipophilic microbiota.

In this study, we tested the skeletal human remains from the 18th - early 19th century Orthodox cemeteries in Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia, for tuberculosis-associated morphological alterations and Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA. The morphologically studied bone collection included 591 individuals of mainly Caucasian origin. The molecular methods (IS6110-PCR and spoligotyping) suggested that at least four individuals (out of 15 TB-suspected, DNA-tested) were positive for the presence of M. tuberculosis DNA. All of them were males (3 maturus, 1 maturus senilis). Two of them date back to the second and third quarters of the 18th century, another to the last quarter of the 18th century, and the last one to the second half of the 19th century. The combined molecular analysis cautiously suggested presence of different strains and at least some of them represented not the currently predominant in Siberia Beijing genotype (M. tuberculosis East-Asian lineage) but strains of European origin. In conclusion, this study presented bioarchaeological and molecular evidence of tuberculosis in human skeletal remains from 18th-19th century Orthodox cemeteries in Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia. The samples are not M. bovis and represent human M. tuberculosis sensu stricto. Their precise phylogenetic identity is elusive but evokes the European/Russian origin of at least some isolates.

Aim. To develop a method for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains belonging to highly lethal, hypervirulent, multidrug-resistant Beijing 14717-15-cluster to be applied to screen for M. tuberculosis retrospective collections obtained from various regions of Russia. The collection included M. tuberculosis DNA samples obtained during population studies. Spoligotyping and genotyping of 24 variable number tandem repeats loci were performed according to standard protocols. Phylogenetic analysis was based on the whole genome sequencing data. Polymorphism at the genomic position 2423040 A G, specific for the Beijing 14717-15 cluster, was detected using PCR-RFLP and HhaI restriction enzyme. The bioinformatic and phylogenetic analysis of whole genome sequencing data for 205 strains of the early ancient sublineage of the M. tuberculosis Beijing genotype showed that strains with the VNTR 14717-15 profile (according to MIRU-VNTRplus.org) and those close to it were grouped into one monophyletic cluster of related strains, which we defined as Beijing 14717-15-cluster. Among the SNPs specific for the 14717-15 cluster, we chose a functionally neutral SNP at the genomic position 2423040 A G (Rv2161c Val33Ala) and developed a method for its detection in the PCR-RFLP format. Next, we applied this method to screening DNA collections from the regions of the European and Asian parts of Russia and Asian countries. The data demonstrate the presence of strains of the Beijing 14717-15 cluster only in the Asian region of Russia peaking in Buryatia (18%). We have developed a method for detection of the hypervirulent and highly lethal genetic cluster M. tuberculosis Beijing 14717-15 based on detection of the specific mutation in the Rv2161c gene using PCR followed by HhaI restriction of the PCR product and agarose gel electrophoresis to discriminate between wild-type and mutant alleles. The advantages of the proposed method are the speed, simple and unambiguous data interpretation, opportunity to detect contamination and mixed infection, suitability for efficient analysis of large collections of M. tuberculosis strains.