Characterization of Rifampicin Resistance in Philippine Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Mutation of the rpoB Gene
Jaime C. Montoya1,2*, Maria Sheila Magalonzo-De Jesus1,
Gloria Reclusado1, Lydia Sombrero1 and Concepcion F. Ang2
1TB Study Group, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
2TB Study Group, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine,
University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Manila City, Philippines
Rifampicin resistant isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Philippines were characterized using the rpoB gene (RNA polymerase B gene). A total of 47 isolates were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Majority of the rifampicin resistant isolates of M. tuberculosis in the Philippines showed point mutations in the rpoB gene. Majority of the point mutations were in positions 526 (39.5%) and 531 (34.9%), and most of these involved single nucleotide substitutions. All of the point mutations associated with rifampicin resistance were seen in the isolates from the National Capital Region (NCR), whereas majority of the rifampicin resistant isolates without point mutations were seen in Southern Luzon (Laguna). This information may be used in subsequent studies for determining patterns of drug resistance as well as monitoring changing virulence and drug susceptibility of M. tuberculosis that may impact on health policies related to tuberculosis control.
INTRODUCTION
Tuberculosis remains a local and global problem of enormous proportions. Globally, 1.7 billion or approximately 1/3 of the world's population are infected with tuberculosis. In the Philippines, it is the fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of morbidity. This disease is now not only a problem in the developing world but even in the first world countries as well. Aggravating concerns are the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, the pandemic of HIV that is an important co-factor in the development of tuberculosis, and the high immigration rates of populations from highly endemic areas of the world to areas of low endemicity.
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