Abstract

SILVA, Aída Cristina do Nascimento et al. First insights into the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2011, vol.27, n.9, pp. 1859-1863. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000900019.

This study constitutes a first attempt to describe the genetic population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis circulating in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. A total of 56 confirmed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, identified between March and June 2008, were analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (IS6110-RFLP). The study population was characterized by a predominance of males (71.43%) over 30 years of age (68.75%). Forty-one isolates were found to belong to a single pattern (73.2%), while 15 (26.7%) were found in group patterns, forming six clusters. The higher level of diversity observed is much more suggestive of endogenous reactivation than recent transmission.

Keywords : Tuberculosis; Molecular Epidemiology; Genetic Variation; Mycobacterium tuberculosis.