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Molecular epidemiology of mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Amazonas state (Venezuela)

Abstract:

Venezuela has a moderate incidence of Tuberculosis (TB), while the Amazons State is one with the highest incidence in the country. To obtain a better knowledge of the regional TB epidemiology, 100 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were collected in the Amazons State between January 1998 and June 2004. Isolates were analyzed through spoligotyping and relationated with geographical and ethnics background of the patients. The spoligotypes obtained were compared with a national database SpolDB.Vz2 and with the international one, SpolDB4 (1). The genotypes circulating in the population of the Amazon State are consistent with those found in other states of Venezuela, where the spoligotypes-families with the highest prevalence are Latin American - Mediterranean (LAM), Haarlem and T1. In this study there were found spoligotypes that were not previously reported in the country and three new groups were discovered: AMA-G1, AMA-G2 and AMA-G3. An association was found among some spoligotypes, with the ethnic and specific geographical locations. This study gives a solid reference for the screening of changes in the composition of the circulating strains in the Venezuelan Amazons, changes that are the consequence of the introduction of new stains from other states or neighboring countries.