Armed conflict and population displacement as drivers of the evolution and dispersal of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

摘要: Abstract The “Beijing” Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) lineage 2 (L2) is spreading globally and has been associated with accelerated disease progression increased antibiotic resistance. Here we performed a phylodynamic reconstruction of one the L2 sublineages, central Asian clade (CAC), which recently spread to western Europe. We find that recent historical events have contributed evolution dispersal CAC. Our timing estimates indicate was likely introduced Afghanistan during 1979–1989 Soviet–Afghan war further after population displacement in wake American invasion 2001. also drug resistance mutations accumulated on massive scale Mtb isolates from former Soviet republics fall Union, pattern not observed CAC Afghanistan. results underscore detrimental effects political instability control demonstrate power methods exploring bacterial space time.