T. PrammanananW. CheunoyD. TaechamahapunJ. YorsangsukkamolS. PhunpruchP. PhdaratM. LeechawengwongA. ChaiprasertThailand National Center for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologySiriraj FoundationMahidol UniversityKing Mongkut's Institute of Technology LadkrabangVichaiyut Hospital2018-07-122018-07-122008-01-01Clinical Microbiology and Infection. Vol.14, No.5 (2008), 446-453146906911198743X2-s2.0-41949099041https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/19842Since rifampicin resistance is a surrogate marker for multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDRTB), the present study aimed to investigate rpoB mutations conferring rifampicin resistance in M. tuberculosis strains from Thailand, and to develop a rapid, inexpensive and simple PCR-based method for rapid detection of MDRTB. Overall, 267 M. tuberculosis isolates, including 143 MDRTB isolates, were investigated. Isolates of the Beijing strain predominated among the MDRTB isolates (79.1%), but accounted for only 45.5% of the susceptible isolates. Mutations in the rpoB gene were found most commonly at codons 531, 526 and 516 (58%, 25.2% and 9.1%, respectively). A multiplex allele-specific PCR was developed and tested with 216 clinical isolates. In comparison with the proportion method, the method showed 94.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and had a 100% positive predictive value and a 95% negative predictive value, which suggested that this method could be useful for screening for MDRTB, particularly in resource-limited countries. © 2008 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.Mahidol UniversityMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.01951.x