Molecular detection of mutations in rpoB gene involved in rifampin resistance in leprosy patients from Côte d'Ivoire

Dehe Bahou Roger 1, 2, *, Coulibaly N’Golo David 2, Amon Aby Christiane 1, 2, Sylla Aboubarcar 2, Kouakou Henry 3, Kakou-Ngazoa Solange Elise 2, Bidie Alain Dit Philippe 1 and Bamba Vagamon 3

1 UFR Biosciences, Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Biochemical, Felix Houphouet- Boigny University, 22 BP 582, Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
2 Molecular Biology Platform, Pasteur Institut of Côte d'Ivoire, BP 490 Abidjan, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
3 Follereau Raoul Institut of Côte d’Ivoire, Adzope, Côte d’Ivoire.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2020, 02(01), 001-008.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2020.2.1.0019
Publication history: 
Received on 15 April 2020; revised on 28 April 2020; accepted on 29 April 2020
 
Abstract: 
The control measures recommended for treatment of leprosy with multidrug therapy should limit spread of drug-resistant strains; however, rifampicin resistance continues to be reported in several countries. Resistance to anti-infectious used in multidrug therapy has not yet been molecularly established in Côte d'Ivoire. This preliminary study presents results of evaluation of level rifampicin resistance in Côte d'Ivoire. For each case of clinically confirmed multibacillary leprosy (new or relapsed cases) a dermal juice sample was examined by microscopy after Ziehl-Neelsen staining and a specific PCR targeting RLEP repeat sequence. 48 isolates were used to perform amplification of the rpoB gene involved in rifampicin resistance. The origin of the resistance was then investigated after sequencing and mutations analysis. Thus, 24 isolates (50 %) had mutations, 11 (22. 91 %) of which had mutations conferring rifampicin resistance. The mutations correlated with resistance were as follows: Gln438Val (9. 09 %), Asp441Asn (18. 18 %), Ser456Leu (45. 50 %) and Ser456Phe (27. 27 %) in 9 health districts in Côte d'Ivoire. These mutations were observed in both relapsed and new cases. In conclusion, cases of rifampicin resistance exist in Côte d'Ivoire and an active surveillance should be carried out to monitor the evolution of this resistance. In addition, this information can be used to control the spread of drug-resistant M. leprae strains.
 
Keywords: 
Leprosy; Mycobacterium leprae; Rifampicin resistance; Resistance gene; Mutation
 
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Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0