In vitro and in vivo fitness costs associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis RpoB mutation H526D.

ABSTRACT: There is controversy regarding the potential fitness costs of rifampicin (RIF) resistance-conferring mutations in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) rpoB gene. We characterized the pathogenicity of an Mtb RpoB H526D mutant.A mutant containing the RpoB H526D mutation was isolated from wild-type Mtb grown on RIF-containing plates and complemented for determination of in vitro and in vivo fitness costs.The RpoB H526D mutant showed reduced survival relative to control strains during progressive hypoxia and delayed growth following resuscitation from nutrient starvation (p < 0.05), which was associated with reduced expression of the resuscitation-promoting factor genes rpfB, rpfC and rpfE. Relative to the isogenic wild-type strain, the mutant showed significantly attenuated growth and long-term survival as well as reduced inflammation in mouse lungs. Conclusion & future perspective: Our data suggest that RpoB H526D mutation confers a fitness cost during growth-limiting conditions in vitro and in mouse lungs.

SUBMITTER: Rifat D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5506874 | biostudies-other | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other