Mycobacterium tuberculosis molecular evolution in western Mediterranean Island of Sicily and Sardinia

Abstract In this study, a total of 204 Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNAs from Sicily ( n = 144) and Sardinia ( n = 60) were studied by three genotyping methods. Results were analyzed both within and across islands, to define the phylogeographical specificities of the genotypes, look for their diversity and infer a molecular evolutionary scenario. A strong link between geography and tuberculosis genotypes was observed in Sardinia. The results were also matched against a world-wide genetic diversity database to compare the population structure of the tubercle bacilli in the islands. Eight common genotypes between Sicily, Sardinia and continental Italy were found which underlines the influences …