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Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test
Published on: April 9, 2012
Acquisition of Rifampin Resistance in Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Xavier A Kayigire1,2, Sven O Friedrich3,2, Lize van der Merwe2
1Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, MRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Abstract:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with spontaneous mutations conferring resistance to rifampin (RIF) are exceedingly rare, and fixed drug combinations typically prevent augmentation of resistance to single drugs. Fourteen newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients were treated with RIF alone for 14 days, and bacterial loads, including mutation frequencies, were determined. A statistical model estimated that 1% of the remaining viable mycobacteria could be RIF resistant after 30 days of monotherapy. This indicates that temporal and spatial windows of RIF monotherapy due to uneven drug distribution within lung lesions could contribute to the acquisition of resistance to RIF.
Insights
Spontaneous resistance to rifampin (RIF) in tuberculosis is rare. However, RIF monotherapy in patients may create conditions for RIF-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis to emerge, even with limited exposure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Spontaneous mutations conferring rifampin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis are rare.
- Fixed drug combinations generally prevent the emergence of single-drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for rifampin monotherapy to select for resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.
- To assess the frequency of rifampin resistance under specific monotherapy conditions.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients received rifampin monotherapy for 14 days.
- Bacterial loads and mutation frequencies were determined.
- A statistical model estimated resistance levels after 30 days.
Main Results:
- A statistical model predicted that 1% of remaining viable mycobacteria could be rifampin-resistant after 30 days of monotherapy.
- This suggests a potential window for resistance acquisition.
Conclusions:
- Temporal and spatial variations in rifampin drug distribution within lung lesions during monotherapy could facilitate the emergence of rifampin resistance.
- Even rare spontaneous mutations can be selected under specific therapeutic conditions.
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