The increase in MDR-TB severely hampers TB prevention and control in China, a country with the second highest MDR-TB burden globally. Recently, Chen Fei Research Group of Beijing Genomics Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences cooperated with Beijing Chest Hospital and National Tuberculosis Clinical Laboratory Xu Shaofa and Huang Hairong, sequenced 357 MDR strains from 4,600 representative TB-positive sputum samples collected from the survey (70 counties in 31 provinces). Drug-susceptibility testing was performed using 18 anti-tuberculosis drugs, representing the most comprehensive drug-resistance profile to date.

Epidemiological/drug-resistance characteristics showed different multidrug-resistance profiles, co-resistance patterns, preferred drug combination/use, and recommended regimens among seven Chinese administrative regions. These not only reflected the serious multidrug co-resistance and drug misuse in some regions but these factors were also potentially significant in facilitating the development of appropriate regimens for MDR-TB treatment in China. Further investigation identified 86 drug-resistance genes/intergenic regions/SNPs (58 new), providing potential targets for diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB.

The findings provided an important reference and improved understanding of MDR-TB in China, potentially significant in achieving the goal of precision medicine with respect to MDR-TB prevention and treatment.

Source: Beijing Genomics Institute

Time: 2018.11.09