Point-Mutations in embB۳۰۶ Gene and Their Association with Resistance to Ethambutol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Clinical Isolates

Background & Objective: Mutations in embB۳۰۶ gene and their association with resistance to ethambutol (EMB) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the point-mutations in emb۳۰۶B gene and their association with resistance to EMB in M. tuberculosis. Materials & Methods: This case (M. tuberculosis resistant to EMB) -control (M. tuberculosis sensitive to EMB) study was performed in the West of Iran (۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۵), in order to determine the sensitivity of M. tuberculosis strains. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-DNA sequencing was used for determining the point-mutations of embB۳۰۶ gene in both groups (sensitive and resistant to EMB). Data was analyzed by SPSS ۱۶ and Fisherchr('۳۹')s exact test. Results: Fifty M. tuberculosis strains were isolated from ۱۰۱۹ patients that were suspected to have tuberculosis (TB). ۸۶% of the isolates were sensitive and ۱۴% were resistant to EMB. EmbB۳۰۶ gene sequencing showed no mutation in control samples; but mutation was observed in ۸۵.۷۱% of resistant samples in case samples. The embB۳۰۶ mutation showed a significant relationship with EMB resistance (P= ۰.۰۰). Conclusion: Mutations in embB۳۰۶ were observed in the strains resistant to EMB; however, there was no mutation in the sensitive group. There is a direct relationship between these mutations and this type of resistance, so it is an indicator of creation of resistance to EMB in M. tuberculosis.

Keywords:

embB۳۰۶ Gene , Ethambutol , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Point-Mutations