Retrospective analysis of the Beijing family of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in preserved lung tissues

Abstract

Direct repeat spoligotyping of 85 paraffin-embedded lung biopsies was used to investigated the occurrence around Beijing of the Beijing family of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Samples ranged in time from 1956 to 1990. Hybridization patterns were found with 49 (58%) samples, and 45 (92%) produced typical Beijing family patterns extending over the 34-year period.