Drug resistance pattern and molecular characterization of mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in punjab, pakistan.
This study compared conventional diagnostic techniques with a PCRbased
assay targeting IS6110 sequence. In addition, MTB drug resistant profiles
against four first-line drugs (ethambutol, isoniazid, rifampin, and streptomycin)
from new and retreatment cases of TB. From 101 sputum samples microscopic
examination of Ziehl-Neelsen-stained smears and culturing on Lowenstein Jensen
medium resulted in 96% and 100% positives, compared to 98% by PCR. Prevalence
of MDR-MTB was 41.5% and 58.5% among new (n = 51) and retreatment
(n = 50) cases, but 10% of the former group were sensitive to all four first-line
anti-TB drugs. Thus, MDR-MTB is highly prevalent among TB patients in Punjab
Province, Pakistan (where the study was conducted) and, although PCR amplification
of MTB-specific IS6110 sequence was rapid, it lacked the sensitivity of
the culture assay.
PMID: 29641883 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health - Category: Tropical Medicine Tags: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health Source Type: research