Integration of spatial epidemiology and molecular epidemiology used for study on tuberculosis

Spatial epidemiology and molecular epidemiology have been widely used in the studies of tuberculosis (TB), but each with limitations. Integration of the two methods provides new ideas and methods in TB research. All referenced articles are from CNKI, Wan Fang database, PubMed database and Web of Science database. Method of combining spatial epidemiology and molecular epidemiology has been widely used in determining the local epidemic strains of TB genotype, the transmission mechanism, risk factors of TB, drug-resistant TB, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of TB prevention and control measures. Application of the combined methods is of important significance in the studies of TB, thus worthy to be further introduced to researchers and disease prevention and control workers in this country. Key words: Tuberculosis; Spatial epidemiology; Molecular epidemiology