GENOMIC ANALYSIS OF LAM FAMILY OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS CLINICAL STRAINS

Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a global problem for humanity, especially in the countries of Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and the CIS. In Kazakhstan, the rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis among newly diagnosed patients is more than 20%. Moreover, the Republic of Kazakhstan ranks second among the thirty countries with a high disease burden according to the World Health Organization. In this regard, it becomes obvious that it is necessary to study the nature of resistance of locally circulating strains of mycobacteria. The use of genetic typing methods will allow tracking the spread of tuberculosis pathogens of any family, which, in turn, will provide a personalized approach to treatment. The strains of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex capable of infecting humans include seven phylogenetic lineages, initially associated with their geographical distribution. In this study, the genomes of three drug-resistant clinical isolates of the Latin American Mediterranean family (LAM) circulating in Kazakhstan were studied. We used whole genome sequencing to study the distribution and drug resistance of isolates. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the genomes described in this study with sequences from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, also belonging to the LAM family. One isolate was identified as having extensive drug resistance to seven anti-TB drugs. Our results suggest that at least two drug-resistant genotypes of the LAM family are circulating in Kazakhstan. Thus, the use of genetic methods is becoming more and more popular and effective in combating the spread of tuberculosis infection.