Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes in an ethnically diverse area with millions of pilgrims and thousands of immigrants

BackgroundImmigration is considered as a risk factor of tuberculosis (TB). Qom province receives millions of pilgrims and significant numbers of immigrants each year. Most of the immigrants to Qom, arrive from neighboring TB-endemic countries. This study aimed to identify the current circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes in Qom province using 24-locus MIRU-VNTR genotyping.MethodsEighty six M. tuberculosis isolates were collected during 2018-2022 from patients referring to Qom TB reference laboratory. The DNA of isolates was extracted and followed by 24 loci MIRU-VNTR genotyping which performed using the web tools available on MIRU-VNTRplus.ResultsOf 86 isolates, 39 (45.3%) were of Delhi/CAS genotype, 24 (27.9%) of NEW-1, 6 (7%) of LAM, 6 (7%) of Beijing, 2 (2.3%) of UgandaII, 2 (2.3%) of EAI, 1 of S (1.2%) and 6 (7%) did not match with profiles present in MIRUVNTRplus database.ConclusionsAbout half of the isolates belong to Afghan immigrants; which warns health policy makers about the future situation of TB in Qom. Also, the similarity of Afghan and Iranian genotypes provides evidence that immigrants partake in the circulation of M. tuberculosis. This study underpin the studies about the circulating M. tuberculosis genotypes, their geographical distribution, the association of TB risk factors with these genotypes and the impact of immigration on the situation of TB in Qom province.

Automated summary

This study used 24-locus MIRU-VNTR genotyping to identify the circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes in Qom province. The results showed that about half of the isolates belonged to Afghan immigrants, which poses a risk to the situation of tuberculosis in Qom. The similarity between Afghan and Iranian genotypes provides evidence for the involvement of immigrants in the transmission of M. tuberculosis. This study is important for understanding the prevalence and distribution of M. tuberculosis genotypes, their association with risk factors, and the impact of immigration on the situation of tuberculosis in Qom province.