Molecular Identification, and Characterization of Mycobacterium kansasii Strains Isolated from Four Tuberculosis Regional Reference Laboratories in Iran During 2016-2018.

We indicated that the rate of M. kansasii isolation with clinical significance appears to be increasing in Iran, especially in highly industrialized cities. The high rate of M. kansasii subtype I may suggest that this genotype has a particular potency for colonization, and a higher epidemiological potential for causing infection in humans. More studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of M. kansasii subtype I.