Emergence of Mycobacterium leprae Rifampin Resistance Evaluated by Whole-Genome Sequencing after 48 Years of Irregular Treatment.
Charlotte AvanziRaquel Cristina MaiaAndrej BenjakJosé Augusto NeryAnna Maria SalesAlice MirandaNadia Cristina DuppreAmanda Nogueira Brum FontesTatiana Pereira da SilvaRoberta Olmo PinheiroFernanda Neves-MantaSuelen Justo Maria MoreiraPhilippe BussoEuzenir Nunes SarnoPhillip Noel SuffysStewart Thomas ColeMilton Ozório MoraesPublished in: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (2020)
A case of Mycobacterium leprae rifampin resistance after irregular antileprosy treatments since 1971 is reported. Whole-genome sequencing from four longitudinal samples indicated relapse due to acquired rifampin resistance and not to reinfection with another strain. A putative compensatory mutation in rpoC was also detected. Clinical improvement was achieved using an alternative therapy.