Genotypic Detection of rpoB and katG Gene Mutations Associated with Rifampicin and Isoniazid Resistance in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates: A Local Scenario (Kelantan)

BACKGROUND

Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a public health issue that is of major concern on a global scale. The characterisation of clinical isolates may provide key information regarding the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance, and helps to augment therapeutic options. This study aims to evaluate the frequency of gene mutations associated with Rifampicin (RIF) and Isoniazid (INH) resistance among nine clinical isolates.

METHODS

A total of nine drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates were screened for genetic mutations in rpoB and katusing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA sequencing. Genotypic analysis was performed to detect the mutations in the sequence of the target genes.

RESULTS

Our findings reveal that 80% of the isolates possess mutations at codon 119 (His119Tyr) and 135 (Arg135Trp and Ser135Leu) within the rpoB gene; and 70% possess mutations in the katG gene at codon 238 with amino acid change (Leu238Arg).

CONCLUSION

Findings from this study provide an overview of the current situation of RIF and INH resistance in a hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) located in Kelantan, Malaysia, which could facilitate molecular-based detection methods of drug-resistant strains. Further information regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in resistance in RR-/MDR-TB should be addressed in the near future.

Gender differences in coping skills of parents with hearing-impaired children

OBJECTIVE

To assess differences between the coping strategies of the mothers and fathers with hearing-impaired children.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted looking at parents of children with moderate to profound hearing impairment. The parents with more than one child with a hearing impairment, the parents of children with additional disabilities and syndromes, single parents, and parents with their own hearing impairments were excluded from the study. A Brief COPE Scale questionnaire translated into Malay was used to assess the coping strategies. The questionnaire includes 28 items and was rated using a four-point Likert scale. Independent t-testing was used to compare the coping strategies of mothers and fathers. Simple linear regression was used to determine the association between age and coping strategies.

RESULTS

There were 72 participants. The number of mothers and fathers was equal. Religion, active coping and acceptance were the highest three scores in the domains, while substance use and behavioural disengagement were least used in both groups. The domains of religion, seeking emotional support and seeking instrumental support scored significantly higher in mothers than in fathers (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of problem-focused strategies (p = 0.016) but not in terms of emotional-focused strategies (p = 0.134). There were significant negative linear correlations between age and seeking emotional support, humour and instrumental support ( p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There were gender differences in the coping strategies among parents with hearing-impaired children. These are important factors that should be considered when counselling and establishing support groups for the parents of these children.