The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Andrea E DeBarber

Clifton E Barry, Iii

Khisimuzi Mdluli

Linda-Gail Bekker

The invention relates to the discovery that a putative gene ofwith no previously identified function is responsible for the ability of the bacterium to activate thioamide drugs. Sincehas a low rate of synonymous mutations, all mutations in this gene, identified as Rv3854and now termed 'EtaA,' are expected to inhibit the ability of a bacterium with the mutation to activate a thioamide or thiocarbonyl drug. Thus, detecting a bacterium with a mutation in this gene indicates that the bacterium is resistant to treatment with thioamides.

Methods of diagnosing multidrug resistant tuberculosis

The invention relates to the discovery that a putative gene ofwith no previously identified function is responsible for the ability of the bacterium to activate thioamide drugs. Sincehas a low rate of synonymous mutations, all mutations in this gene, identified as Rv3854c and now termed 'EtaA,' are expected to inhibit the ability of a bacterium with the mutation to activate a thioamide or thiocarbonyl drug. Thus, detecting a bacterium with a mutation in this gene indicates that the bacterium is resistant to treatment with thioamides.

Growing community of inventors

Rockville, MD, United States of America

Andrea E DeBarber