Quantitative evaluation senx3-regx3 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by real-time RT-PCR assays for monitoring the response to anti-TB therapy

Abstract

BackgroundSince tuberculosis (TB) is still considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide, rapid diagnosis and treatment of infected patients are crucial for the effective control of TB. Here aimed to investigate the efficiency and diagnostic yield of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) senx3-regx3 based assay in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in comparison to the acid-fast staining and culture methods. Materials and methodssenx3-regx3 gene of M. tuberculosis was used as a Real-Time RT-PCR target for clinically evaluating the treatment of 23 TB patients and compared with conventional diagnostic methods. ResultsA total of 23 newly diagnosed TB patients were evaluated before therapy as well as two weeks, one, and two months after therapy by using Real-Time RT-PCR assay, culture, and acid-fast staining. The culture results showed 91 % consistent with acid-fast staining, while it had 99 % consistent with Real-Time RT-PCR results. Furthermore, sensitivity and specificity of Real-Time RT-PCR were 99 % and 86 % respectively, in comparison to the culturing. ConclusionAll these findings indicated that Real-Time RT-PCR assay can be considered as a rapid tool for monitoring the efficacy of anti-TB therapy.