Detection of isoniazid and rifampin resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by a multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay

ABSTRACT

The use of molecular techniques is a major improvement for the rapid routine detection and control of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis [MDR-TB]. In this study, the multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction [MAS-PCR] was developed to simultaneously detect the most frequent mutations associated with isoniazid [INH] and rifampin [RIF] resistance in a single assay. The assay was tested with 53 clinical isolates. Among them, 27 were MDR strains, 17 were mono-resistant to INH, one was mono-resistant to RIF, and eight were susceptible. The MAS-PCR assay showed a specificity of 100% in detecting drug resistance. An equivalent sensitivity of 92.6% in detecting MDR and RIF-resistance was found. The sensitivity for the detection of INH-resistance was 88.6%. The MAS-PCR assay was a simple and rapid method for detecting the INH and RIF-resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis [MT] clinical strains. It is also easy to perform and to interpret. The assay is inexpensive and a less-demanding technique