INSACOG experts have revealed that India’s network of genome sequencing labs was capable of identifying the drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB) in circulation. With the emergence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants, genome sequencing has become an integral tool for identifying the exact variant. Certain specific mutations in the bacterial genome could indicate drug resistant TB strains. 

Experts have informed that the same equipment which was currently being used to identify SARSCoV-2 variants could also be used to detect drug-resistant TB strains. The major factor causing most of the mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains to develop resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin (RIF) was mutations in the rpoB gene, the beta subunit of DNA-directed RNA polymerase of MTB.

RT-PCR tests have become cheaper due to the pandemic after Indian companies started making them. Currently, available genotyping tests could only identify the rifampicin resistance on the rpoB gene of TB strains. More investment was required to update and enhance the genomic sequencing as it has the potential to identify resistance to entire anti-TB drugs on the same day, irrespective of other necessary tests for TB diagnosis. (ET, Healthworld, March 28, 2022)