Investigation of Mutations in the Rifampin-Resistance-Determining Region of the rpoB Gene of Brucella melitensis by Gene Analysis

RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) gene analysis in bacterial communities is known as a method for determining rifampin sensitivity and genetic diversity among Brucella spp. Detection of antibiotic resistance among Brucella isolates can be a critical approach to control brucellosis. However, rpoB gene analysis of Brucella melitensis for assessing rifampicin resistance has not yet been performed in Iran, which is considered an endemic area for brucellosis.

The aim of this study was to analyze the whole sequence of rpoB genes of different B. melitensis isolates from humans to identify the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mutations related to rifampin resistance and to analyze the genetic diversity of these bacteria in Iran.

Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 156 blood samples along with 12 synovial fluid specimens were collected from brucellosis patients in different Iranian provinces and subjected to bacterial culture in Brucella selective media. Brucella identification was carried out using classical biotyping and molecular examinations. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based amplification of the rpoB gene was performed by specific rpoB primers for whole gene sequencing. The antimicrobial susceptibility of Brucella isolates was assessed using disk diffusion susceptibility tests and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. The presence of rifampinbinding sites and SNPs were investigated through rpoB whole gene sequencing.

Clinical B. melitensis isolates were obtained from blood (13) and synovial fluid (1) samples of patients from different regions of Iran. The results of MIC and disk diffusion susceptibility tests showed that all the isolates were sensitive to rifampin except for one isolate showing intermediate rifampin resistance based on the standards defined for slow-growing bacteria by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Gene analysis for identifying the mutations related to rifampin resistance and investigating genetic diversity showed that none of the B. melitensis isolates had missense mutations, confirming the susceptibility of all the studied isolates to rifampin.

The present study revealed thatrpoB gene analysis could be used for the efficient and precise identifying of the mutations related to rifampin resistance, investigating rifampin binding sites, and genotyping Brucella species. Furthermore, the identification of B. melitensis isolates with intermediate resistance to rifampicin highlighted the importance of periodically carrying out antibiotic susceptibility testing. The molecular detection of rpoB mutations in different Brucella isolates may help to prevent the spread of rifampin-resistant Brucella spp. among humans and livestock.