Detection of resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs in the clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Slovakia through comparison between phenotypic and genetic methods and evaluation of resistance levels with clinical parameter.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in some countries increases continuously, especially caused by mycobacterial strains resistant to various anti-tuberculotic drugs (AT). The emergence and spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis (multidrug-resistant - MDR-TB, and extensively drug-resistant - XDR-TB) suggest the crucial role of pharmacotherapy protocol tailored to the respective patient with MDR-TB or XDR-TB (a personalized approach) and requirements for fast and precise diagnostics of the degree of resistance. The aim of this study was to characterize a molecular basis of resistance to AT, and to identify the presence of the resistance using conventional susceptibility testing and molecular genetic methods using PCR tests in Slovakia during years 2009 - 2017. Furthermore, we focused on evaluation of the relationship between the level of resistance, the clinical status, and some laboratory markers of patients with drug-resistant TB. Totally 1157 strains isolated from patients in 2009 - 2017 were tested for resistance using classical methods and in resistant strains, the molecular-genetic tests were performed. Increased incidence of recurrence, prolonged time required to culture conversion, increased mortality during treatment, plasma C-reactive protein concentrations and sedimentation rate, broader spectrum of AT used, as well as higher incidence of adverse effects (sufficiently controlled with symptomatic treatment) were observed with higher degree of resistance. Contrary, the number of patients who achieved remission decreased. Rapid and precise identification of MDR-TB or XDR-TB strains using both classical and molecular-genetic testing is an essential tool for personalized drug treatment and prevention of resistance spread and worsening. Both tests should be used for correct diagnosis of resistant TB. Higher level of resistance required more aggressive therapeutic approach, associated with adverse effects and prolongation of the culture conversion time, as well as increased risk of relapse. Effective pharmacotherapy led to significant decrease of CRP levels in all groups of patients. The most frequent adverse effects of ATs - impairment of liver and kidney functions - were effectively managed by symptomatic treatment.

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria: Classification, Diagnostics, and Therapy.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are species other than those belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and do not cause leprosy. NTM are generally free-living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment. There have been more than 140 NTM species identified to-date. They can cause a wide range of infections, with pulmonary infections being the most frequent (65-90 %). There is growing evidence that the incidence of NTM lung diseases and associated hospitalizations are on the rise, mainly in regions with a low prevalence of tuberculosis. A crucial clinical problem remains the evaluation of NTM significance in relation to the disease, especially in regard to the colonization of the respiratory tract in patients with residual lesions after tuberculosis or bronchiectasis. Clinical and radiographic pictures of mycobacteriosis, as well as therapy, have often similarities to those of tuberculosis. The treatment regimen should be individualized. In addition to antituberculotics, antibiotics are used more frequently. The most common mycobacteria causing lung disease in Slovakia are Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium abscessus.

Classical against molecular-genetic methods for susceptibility testing of antituberculotics.

Tuberculosis currently belongs to rare respiratory diseases in Slovakia. However, the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) are major challenges for global tuberculosis control, since the treatment of resistant forms creates both medical and financial problems. Cultivation methods of diagnosis are time-consuming, many times exceeding the time of the initial phase of tuberculosis treatment. Therefore, in the presented study we compared the standard procedures, based on the cultivation of mycobacteria and subsequent drug susceptibility testing to antituberculotics, with molecular-genetic methods using PCR diagnostic kits. The molecular-genetic testing enables to obtain direct and fast evidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with genomic verification of resistance to the most important anti-tuberculosis drugs - isoniazid and rifampicin in MDR-TB, and ethambutol, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones in XDR-TB. In 2012-2013, we confirmed 19 cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Slovakia. The resistance to rifampicin was confirmed in all strains with both methods. In two cases, the molecular-genetic testing did not show resistance to isoniazid, as confirmed by conventional cultivation. Furthermore, two strains demonstrating susceptibility in conventional microbiological testing to ethambutol and five strains to fluoroquinolones were verified as actually being resistant using a PCR method. Rapid diagnosis and identification of MDR-TB or XDR-TB strains using molecular-genetic testing is an essential tool for the timely and appropriate drug treatment and prevention of spread of drug resistant strains.