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[Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its prospect based on variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) genotyping--a strategy in Osaka City, Japan].

The methodological establishment of variable number of tandem repeat(s) (VNTR) genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has opened a new era of molecular epidemiology against tuberculosis (TB). The method can provide simple, rapid and accurate identification of clinical isolates from TB patients that makes it possible to compare the isolates among different laboratories. Such advantages of VNTR not only help us certify the identification of isolates in putative outbreaks easily but also promote the reasonable estimation of unidentified transmissions in surveillance studies. Recently, the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association (JATA) (12)-VNTR has become a standard genotyping method of M. tuberculosis, and its spread has been expected in Japan. In Osaka City, located in the western part of the country, JATA (12)-VNTR has been applied to molecular epidemiological study of TB. Moreover, the additional 12 VNTR loci have been analyzed for various purposes, such as to enhance the discriminatory power (public health needs) or to further analyze the population genetic structure (research needs). As the nationwide findings of VNTR genotyping of M. tuberculosis are accumulated, this technology will be increasingly useful for detecting transmission of any specific strain in large geographic areas that could not be recognized by conventional epidemiological methods. The needs for the VNTR genotyping of M. tuberculosis and its practical uses are expected to expand drastically in the future.