This study, involving whole-genome sequencing of five M. tuberculosis lineage 7 strains collected in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, sets out to: describe their genetic heterogeneity, explore their phylogenetic positioning relative to other Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains, and to identify which variations (i.e. insertions and deletions) are characteristic to them.. Mycobacterium tuberculosis aethip vetus

A recently identified sub species named lineage 7 of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has recently been identified among strains originating from Ethiopia. Using different DNA typing techniques, this study provides additional information on the genetic heterogeneity of five lineage 7 strains collected in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. It also confirms the phylogenetic proximity of these strains to Mycobacterium canettii and the East-African-Indian lineage. Four newly identified large sequence polymorphisms characteristic of the Amhara region lineage 7 strains are described. While lineage 7 strains have been previously identified in the Woldiya area, we show that lineage 7 strains circulate in other parts of the Amhara Region and also among foreign-born individuals from Eritrea and Somalia in The Netherlands. For ease of documenting future identification of these strains in other geographical locations and recognizing the place of origin, we propose to name lineage 7 strains Mycobacterium tuberculosis aethiop vetus.