THE PREVALENCE OF M. TUBERCULOSIS STRAINS OF VARIOUS GENETIC FAMILIES IN BELGOROD REGION

Purpose of the Study: To estimate the prevalence and association with multiple drug resistance of strains of M. tuberculosis of various genetic families in the Belgorod region, to reveal the contribution of strains of the genetic family Beijing to the epidemic process of tuberculosis; evaluate the role of strains of M. tuberculosis of various genetic families in the formation of "rural foci of tuberculosis" in the region. Materials and Methods: Spoligotyping of 311 strains of M. tuberculosis isolated from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in the Belgorod Region in 2015-2017 has been carried out. Results.Among the strains studied, strains of the families Beijing and T. are most widely represented. The shares of other genetic families (H, X, LA. U) are insignificant. The strains of the Beijing family are much wider than others presented in previously treated patients; in patients of middle and young age, as well as among strains with multiple drug resistance. Some prevalence of strains of Beijing and T in "chronic" foci of tuberculosis was revealed. Results and Discussion: Despite the favorable epidemic situation, one can not exclude the danger of forming "chronic" foci of tuberculosis with a decrease in attention to preventive antituberculous activities in the settlements of the region. The genotyping of strains of M. tuberculosis should be included in the monitoring program of foci of tuberculosis on a regular basis, which will allow predicting the risk of forming chronic «foci» and differentiating approach to antiepidemic measures in the foci of tuberculosis. Key words: mycobacterium tuberculosis, genetic families, foci of tuberculosis.