Detection of Drug Resistant Genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Sudanese Tuberculosis Patients in Khartoum State Using Multiplex PCR

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a common contiguous disease caused by M. tuberculosis. With an estimated 9 million new cases and 2 million deaths every year, tuberculosis represents one of the most serious infectious diseases worldwide. The increased death rate is a result of emergence of new strains of M. tuberculosis resistant to some or all current anti-tubercular drugs. The resistance is attributed primarily to improper prescriptions or patient noncompliance. In this study we aimed to detect the frequency of drug resistance genes (rpoB, katG and pncA) in Sudanese tuberculosis patients. Seventy sputum samples were collected from Omdurman Teaching Hospital (Abu Anga) in Khartoum state, Sudan. Sputum samples were disinfected and then DNA was extracted. Multiplex PCR was used to detect drug resistance genes (rpoB, katG and pncA). IS6110 gene was used to confirm the presence of M. tuberculosis in the tested samples. Fifty six sputum samples out of 70 were positive for the presence of drug resistance genes, drug resistance genes were detected in 22 (41.3%) for rifampicin, 29 (41.4%) for isoniazid and 33 (47.1%) for Pyrazinamide, also 16 (28.6%) samples had mono drug resistance, 29 (51.8%) had multi drug resistance and 11 (19.6%) had poly drug resistance. The ability of M. tuberculosis for the development of drug resistant gene were found to be associated with many factors, however in this study hypertension and diabetes mellitus were of no significant in the contribution of developing drug resistance P. Value > 0.574. This study provides the first data about Pyrazinamide, isoniazid and rifampicin resistance in Sudan using multiplex PCR. Also representing that multiplex PCR assay use is a rapid, reliable tool and easy to perform for the routine detection of resistant M. tuberculosis strains in TB positive patients in Sudan.