Detection of drug resistance mutations and spoligotype mapping in Mycobacterium tuberculosis using deeplex sequencing, including novel and uncharacterized spoligotypes.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most significant infectious diseases globally, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries, including Mexico. Its persistence is driven, among other factors, by the emergence of drug-resistant strains and the complex genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). Accurate identification and molecular characterization of circulating strains are essential for understanding transmission dynamics and guiding public health interventions. In this study, we employed Deeplex Myc-TB to analyze 143 samples from Mexico of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), a targeted deep sequencing assay, to perform comprehensive detection of drug resistance-associated mutations and detailed spoligotype profiling in Mtb isolates. Herein, we report the distribution of known and novel spoligofamilies, including previously uncharacterized patterns not found in existing in Deeplex Myc-TB databases. Additionally, we identified several mutations linked to resistance against first- and second-line drugs. This providing insight into the local epidemiology of drug-resistant (DR-TB).