Comparative genomic and transcriptome analysis of M. kansasii subtypes provides new insights on its taxonomy and pathogenicity

Mycobacterium kansasii shows a close phylogenetic relationship with Mycobacterium tuberculosis which causes more than 1.5 million deaths per year in recent years. Seven subtypes (I-VII) have been identified using molecular biology approach while Type I-V were the most commonly discovered, and subtype I represents the most frequent isolates contributing to human disease. To investigate the genotypes and pathogenicity components of M. kansasii, we have sequenced the genome of M. kansasii subtypes KAUST I-V with PacBio sequencing technique to describe complete and accurate genomes, then undertook comparative genomics and a transcriptomic approach. We proposed that the “subtypes” of M. kansasii should be considered as different species and developed the genotyping primers for Type I-V. We have also found out several potential virulence factors and determined the pathogenic role of the espACD operon in M. kansasii.