The Value of the inhA Mutation Detection in Predicting Ethionamide Resistance Using Melting Curve Technology

Abstract

The <i>inhA</i> mutation test may not be a reliable predictor of ETH resistance. Mutant <i>inhA</i> strains are not necessarily resistant to ETH. The strains with single inhA mutation (without <i>katG</i> or <i>rpoB</i> mutation) may be effective for ETH treatment. The use of ETH in clinical medicine should be guided by gene (other than <i>inhA</i> alone) detection and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing.