Low-level BTZ-043 resistance in <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> and cross-resistance to bedaquiline and clofazimine

Background Multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) remain a significant global health challenge. This study investigates resistance mechanisms to BTZ-043, a novel decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-ribose 2'-epimerase (DprE1) inhibitor, and its potential cross-resistance with bedaquiline (BDQ) and clofazimine (CFZ). Methods BTZ-043-resistant mutants were generated in M. tuberculosis H37Rv by serial exposure to escalating drug concentrations. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for BTZ-043 were determined for 130 wild-type strains, including 60 H37Rv independent cultures and 70 diverse clinical isolates, plus 33 non-wild-type clinical strains with known BDQ susceptibility. MICs were correlated with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data to identify genetic factors underlying resistance. Results The MIC distribution for clinical MTBC strains was similar to the reference strain, with a mode of 0.002 μg/mL. WGS of resistant mutants revealed mutations in dprE1 and Rv0678 . Rv0678 and dprE1 mutations resulted in 4- to 8-fold and >1,000-fold increase in MIC compared with the reference mode, respectively. Sequential clinical strains from BDQ-treated patients showed increased MICs and Rv0678 mutations, indicating low-level cross-resistance. However, Rv0678 mutations in BDQ-susceptible strains did not affect BTZ-043 MICs. Conclusion Rv0678 mutations confer low-level cross-resistance to BTZ-043, BDQ, and CFZ, with variable effects on susceptibility. These findings highlight the complexity of resistance mechanisms and the need for ongoing surveillance and early resistance assessments in drug development.