Whole-genome analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates collected in Russia (N = 71) from patients with tuberculous spondylitis supports a detailed characterization of pathogen strain distributions and drug resistance phenotype, plus distinguished occurrence and association of known resistance mutations. We identify known and novel genome determinants related to bacterial virulence, pathogenicity, and drug resistance.
Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Russia; WGS; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; bacterial virulence; drug resistance; genetic markers; genome determinants; pathogenicity; phylogeny; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria; tuberculous spondylitis; whole-genome sequencing.