Molecular study of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates with antituberculosis drug resistance in Iraqi patients

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a potential cause of tuberculosis, a highly contagious disease that primarily affects the lungs, causing pulmonary tuberculosis and affecting other sites, causing extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The aim of this study is to identify different types of drug resistance (mono, multi, poly, XDR, RR) and to identify the genes that cause drug resistance. It also provides important information for the accurate detection of drug resistance and the creation of appropriate treatment plans. From May 2022 to November 2022, a study was carried out at the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory in Baghdad. A total of 150 tuberculosis patients were recruited for this study, comprising 43 recently controlled cases among the 3,250 suspected tuberculosis cases and 107 individuals who had previously received tuberculosis treatment. The results according to the Phenotypic DST for FLDs by age group and gender were 86 cases in men and 64 cases in women, While most cases were seen in the 25-34 age group, then in the 35-44 age group and 65 years old and over, the least cases were seen in the 55-64 age group and the number of cases in the 5-14 age group is very low. The frequency of clinical signs and symptoms according to age group and gender was determined as moderate type in 65 cases, mild type in 47 cases and finally severe type in 36 cases. Signs and symptoms differ according to the type of resistance. The most common symptom type in FLD and MDR cases is the intermediate type with 63 cases. In RR cases, it is medium type with 34 cases. In MONO and POLY resistant cases, 8 cases were seen, respectively. These findings underscore the urgent need for effective strategies to address drug-resistant tuberculosis in Iraq, including improved diagnostic techniques, tailored treatment regimens, and enhanced surveillance systems is necessary to combat the growing challenge of drug resistance and improve patient outcomes in tuberculosis management.