Comparison of two molecular diagnostic methods for identifying Beijing genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background and Objectives: The Beijing family of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been identified as a severe pathogen among this species and found in many clinical isolates during the last decade. Early identification of such genotype is important for better prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. The present study performed to compare the efficiency of Real-Time PCR and IS6110-Based Inverse PCR methods to identify the Beijing family. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 173 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Golestan Province, northern Iran. DNA extraction performed by boiling and determining the Beijing and non-Beijing strains carried out using Real-Time PCR and IS6110-Based Inverse PCR. Results: In both Real-Time PCR and IS6110-Based Inverse PCR method, 24 specimens (13.9%) of the Beijing family were identified and the result of the IS6110-Based Inverse PCR method showed that all the Beijing strains in this region belonged to the Ancient Beijing sub-lineage. Conclusion: Although the efficacy of the two methods in the diagnosis of the Beijing family is similar, the IS6110-Based Inverse PCR is more applicable to the ability to detect new and old Beijing family.