Antimicrobial resistance and genotyping of Mycobacterium leprae in Venezuela

Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease that leads to physical disability and social discrimination. The active surveillance of new cases vigilance for drug resistance can decrease the incidence, improve clinical outcomes people affected by it. We analyzed, with molecular biology techniques, set skin biopsy samples from 25 Venezuelan patients. patients had been diagnosed leprosy in 2014 early 2015, 15 were relapse cases. tested dapsone, rifampicin, fluoroquinolones. In addition, we performed epidemiology analysis through multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat (MLVA) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing. did not find evidence 76% ( n = 16) isolates belonging SNP type 3. Genotype profiles allowed us rule out possibility re-infection patient persistent symptoms after treatment, as well household transmission two more Although our sampling relatively small, very similar or even identical Mycobacterium leprae genotypes observed Miranda State. presence this cluster highly suggestive high rates local and, turn, need better control disease. Finally, copy number distribution minisatellite 18–8 considerable 3 strains strongly suggests sublineage particular Venezuela.