rpoB, katG and inhA mutations in multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from southeast Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: Previous knowledge of molecular mechanisms related with multi-drug resistances in tuberculosis is important if molecular diagnostic procedures want to be used in specific geographical regions. For that reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the mutations at rpoB, katG and inhA in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis isolates from Southeast Mexico.

METHODS: Isolates of tuberculosis with a confirmed resistance against rifampicin and isoniazid were collected and sequencing analysis was performed of the rpoB rifampicin resistance-determining region, the katG and the encoding region of inhA.

RESULT: Of 74 isolates with multidrug resistance, 34 (46%) presented six mutations in katG; the most abundant was katG315 in 29 (39%) isolates. At inhA, nine (11%) isolates presented three mutations; the most frequent was inhA21, located in five (6%) strains. Eleven polymorphisms were observed at rpoB in 61 (82%) isolates, prevailing rpoB531 and rpoB 526 in 48 (64%) and ten (12%) isolates, respectively. Eleven double combinations were observed in 39 (52%) isolates, the most common of which was rpoB531+katG315, found in 22 (29%) strains.

CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information on the diversity of polymorphisms in genes related to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, as well as the presence of new mutations not previously described; this information should be considered in the implementation of molecular diagnostic tests.