The emergence of Beijing genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence of Beijing genotype strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS We analyzed the available data on a total of 1505 strains isolated during 2002-2005. RESULTS Spoligotyping results revealed that Beijing family isolates represented 4.5% of all the isolates. Existence of Beijing clade is alarming as this family is known to be multi-drug resistant and transmissible. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the occurrence of Beijing genotype is associated with young age and drug resistance. The Beijing strains affected both Saudi nationals as well as migrants originating in Asia. The Beijing clade could be responsible for the ongoing transmission of tuberculosis within the community.