INCIDENCE OF FLUOROQUINOLONE AND AMINOGLYCOSIDE RESISTANCE VIA ONLINE PROBE ASSAY IN MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS CASES

Introduction: MDR-TB is a serious public health issue in places like Pakistan that report high cases. Anti-TB treatments are made harder, and XDR-TB becomes more likely when bacteria resist drugs other than the first-line drugs. Objective: To know how often fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside resistance occurs by using the Line Probe Assay in cases with MDR-TB. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, From September, 2024 to February, 2025. A Line Probe Assay was used on sputum from 150 MDR-TB patients to check for mutations making the infection resistant to both FQs and AGs. Results: Of the total cases, 42% showed FQ resistance, 19.3% showed AG resistance, and 12% showed Pre-XDR (a combination of FQ and AG resistance). The gyrA and rrs genes were observed to have the most mutations. Conclusion: There is a high level of FQ and AG resistance. Quick detection of MDR-TB at the molecular level through LPA allows for proper treatment and management.