Molecular genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mie Prefecture, Japan, using variable numbers of tandem repeats analysis.
The variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis is a method frequently  employed as a molecular epidemiological tool for Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic  fingerprinting. In this study, we characterized the population of M. tuberculosis circulating  in Mie Prefecture, Japan, and assessed the utility of the proposed JATA12- and 15-VNTR  analyses of 158 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates using 25 VNTR loci. The results revealed  that the ancient Beijing sublineage is the most prevalent M. tuberculosis strain in Mie  Prefecture, accounting for 85.0% of 113 Beijing lineage isolates. Our results also showed  that JATA-VNTR using well-selected loci is as reliable as standardized 15-locus MIRU-VNTR.  Furthermore, JATA15-VNTR analysis reliably improved the discriminatory power compared with  basic JATA12-VNTR analysis. In summary, our data suggest that JATA-VNTR is a useful tool for  discrimination of M. tuberculosis in areas where ancient Beijing strains are frequently  isolated.
Mie Prefecture Health and Environment Research Institute, 3684-11 Sakura, Yokkaichi City, Mie, Japan. nagaiy02＠pref.mie.jp
Yuhki
Y
Nagai
Yoshito
Y
Iwade
Eri
E
Hayakawa
Manabu
M
Nakano
Takashi
T
Sakai
Masamichi
M
Tanuma
Masahiko
M
Katayama
Tetsuya
T
Nosaka
Tetsuo
T
Yamaguchi
D056426:Genetic Loci; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology*