02542nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260001000042653001200052653002600064653003100090653002000121653001400141100001300155700001800168700001600186700003100202700001200233700001400245700002100259245018000280856005200460300000800512490000700520520172300527022001402250       2025                            d  bLepra10aLeprosy10aMycobacterium leprae 10afluoroquinolone resistance10aresistance gene10aMutations1 aRoger DB1 aChristiane AA1 aJean-Luc TG1 aOuéméla Venance Allais B1 aHenry K1 aSolange K1 aN’Golo David C00aMolecular detection of mutations in the gyrA gene associated with fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycobacterium leprae strains from leprosy patients in Adzopé, Côte d’Ivoire  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/article/96/4/20-25110  a1-80 v963 a<p><strong>Objectives</strong></p>

<p>Recommended control measures for leprosy treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT) aim to limit the spread of drug-resistant&nbsp;Mycobacterium leprae&nbsp;strains. However, fluoroquinolone resistance continues to be reported in several endemic countries. In Côte d’Ivoire, no study has yet evaluated&nbsp;M. leprae&nbsp;resistance to fluoroquinolones used in MDT. This study provides the first assessment of fluoroquinolone resistance in&nbsp;M. leprae&nbsp;isolates collected in Adzopé, Côte d’Ivoire.</p>

<p><strong>Methods</strong></p>

<p>For each clinically confirmed case of multibacillary leprosy (new cases and relapses), slit-skin smear samples were collected and analyzed by microscopic examination after Ziehl-Neelsen staining, as well as by PCR targeting the RLEP repeat sequence. A total of 69 isolates were tested for amplification of the&nbsp;gyrA&nbsp;gene, known to be involved in fluoroquinolone resistance. Mutations were identified by sequencing of the amplified regions using the ABI 3500 genetic analyzer.</p>

<p><strong>Results</strong></p>

<p>Among the 69 isolates analyzed, 9 (18.75%) harboured mutations conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones. The mutation detected was A91V (9.09%), which is known to be associated with fluoroquinolone resistance.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions</strong></p>

<p>This study provides evidence of fluoroquinolone-resistant&nbsp;M. leprae&nbsp;strains in Côte d’Ivoire. These findings highlight the need for regular molecular surveillance to monitor the evolution of drug resistance and support the development of control strategies to limit the spread of resistant strains in endemic areas.</p>
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