CHARACTERIZATION OF RPO B GENE FOR DETECTION OF RIFAMPICIN DRUG RESISTANCE BY SSCP AND SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Rifampicin-resistant genotypes were mainly found in codon positions 516, 526 and 531. PCR-SSCP seems to be an efficacious method of predicting rifampicin resistance and substantially reduces the time required for susceptibility testing from 4 to 6 weeks to a few weeks.