Molecular epidemiological features of M.tuberculosis strains spread among different patient groups in Russia is not studied well. The aim of our study was to compare genotypes of M.tuberculosis strains circulating among TB patients from different groups: homeless, HIV-infected, prisoners and general population of St.Petersburg citizens. 
One hundred fifty M.tuberculosis complex isolates from different TB patient groups were studied using spoligotyping method. 
The majority of studied M.tuberculosis isolates in all groups belonged to Beijing family (56% among homeless; 77% among HIV-infected; 60% among general population; 83% among prisoners). There were no significant difference in Beijing family prevalence among homeless patients, HIV/TB co-infected and general population of TB patients. The lowest genetic diversity of the pathogen was detected among imprisoned patients. 
Results of our study demonstrate that M.tuberculosis strains circulating among homeless and HIV-infected people are also spread among general population of St.Petersburg citizens. Thus, we have investigated participation of high-risk groups in the TB infection spread in the city
