Genotyping and Drug Resistance Patterns of M. tuberculosis Strains in Pakistan
Author Information
Author(s): Tanveer Mahnaz, Hasan Zahra, Siddiqui Amna R, Ali Asho, Kanji Akbar, Ghebremicheal Solomon, Hasan Rumina
Primary Institution: The Aga Khan University
Hypothesis
What are the clonal composition, evolutionary genetics, and drug resistance patterns of M. tuberculosis isolates from different regions of Pakistan?
Conclusion
The study found a variation of prevalent M. tuberculosis strains, with a greater association of CAS1 with the Punjab province, and no association of the prevalent CAS genotype with drug resistance.
Supporting Evidence
- 78% of the studied strains were grouped into 59 shared types.
- 61% of the predominant genotypes were Central Asian strains.
- 46% of isolates were sensitive to five first-line antibiotics tested.
Takeaway
Researchers studied tuberculosis germs in Pakistan and found that one type, CAS1, is common in Punjab but doesn't seem to be resistant to medicines, which is good news.
Methodology
M. tuberculosis strains were isolated from specimens collected nationwide, drug susceptibility was tested, and strains were spoligotyped.
Potential Biases
The high MDR rate may reflect a large number of previously treated patients included in the study.
Limitations
The study could not classify patients based on prior therapy due to lack of treatment history.
Participant Demographics
The study included 926 isolates from both pulmonary (850) and extra-pulmonary (76) sources, with a significant number from patients aged 15-30 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 2.0 to 23.5
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website