title: Detection of isoniazid and rifampin resistance of Mycobacteriumtuberculosis by a multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of molecular techniques is a major improvement for the rapid routine detection and control of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (MAS-PCR) was developed to simultaneously detect the most frequent mutations associated with isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF) resistance in a single assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The assay was tested with 53 clinical isolates. Among them, 27 were MDR strains, 17 were mono-resistant to INH, one was mono-resistant to RIF, and eight were susceptible. The MAS-PCR assay showed a specificity of 100% in detecting drug resistance. An equivalent sensitivity of 92.6% in detecting MDR and RIF-resistance was found. The sensitivity for the detection of INH-resistance was 88.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MAS-PCR assay was a simple and rapid method for detecting the INH and RIF-resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) clinical strains. It is also easy to perform and to interpret. The assay is inexpensive and a less-demanding technique.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zeyneb
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Allegui
authors.affiliation: Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Abderrahmen Mami Hospital of Pulmonology, Ariana, Tunisia; Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghariani
authors.affiliation: Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Abderrahmen Mami Hospital of Pulmonology, Ariana, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Henda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Draoui
authors.affiliation: Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Abderrahmen Mami Hospital of Pulmonology, Ariana, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ameni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghezal
authors.affiliation: Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Abderrahmen Mami Hospital of Pulmonology, Ariana, Tunisia; Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Emna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mehiri
authors.affiliation: Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Abderrahmen Mami Hospital of Pulmonology, Ariana, Tunisia; Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia. Electronic address: Leila.saidi@rns.tn.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slim-Saidi
keywords: Multidrug-resistant; Multiplex PCR; Mutations; Tuberculosis