Evolution and spread of a highly drug resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea.

Background: Molecular mechanisms determining the transmission and prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are poorly understood. We used genomic and drug susceptibility data to explore the evolutionary history, temporal acquisition of resistance and transmission dynamics of DR-TB across PNG.

Methods: We performed whole genome sequencing on isolates from Central Public Health Laboratory, PNG, collected 2017-2019.