Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype: A template for success

From the data collected it is clear that the genetic background of Mycobacterium tuberculosis may influence the differential induction of the immune response, drug resistance patterns and clinical, epidemiological and pathogenic features which define disease progression following infection. This highlights the importance of ongoing research into the genetic mechanisms underlying the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of different Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype strains. Furthermore, these findings could help to direct future drug, vaccine and diagnostic test development towards targeting critical virulence factors and to identify persons at risk for developing active disease thereby limiting transmission and the perpetuation of the tuberculosis epidemic.