The analysis of stability of biologically active compounds requires an accurate determination of their structure. We have found that 5-aryl-3-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles are generally unstable in the presence of acids and bases and are rearranged into the salts of spiropyrazolinium compounds. Hence, there is a significant probability that it is the rearranged products that should be attributed to biological activity and not the primarily screened 5-aryl-3-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles. A series of the 2-amino-8-oxa-1,5-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-1-en-5-ium (spiropyrazoline) benzoates and chloride was synthesized by Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement of 5-substituted phenyl-3-[2-(morpholin-1-yl)ethyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and characterized using FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Spiropyrazolylammonium chloride demonstrates in vitro antitubercular activity on DS (drug-sensitive) and MDR (multidrug-resistant) of MTB (M. tuberculosis) strains (1 and 2 µg/mL, accordingly) equal to the activity of the basic antitubercular drug rifampicin; spiropyrazoline benzoates exhibit an average antitubercular activity of 10–100 μg/mL on MTB strains. Molecular docking studies revealed a series of M. tuberculosis receptors with the energies of ligand–receptor complexes (−35.8–−42.8 kcal/mol) close to the value of intermolecular pairwise interactions of the same cation in the crystal of spiropyrazolylammonium chloride (−35.3 kcal/mol). However, only in complex with transcriptional repressor EthR2, both stereoisomers of the cation realize similar intermolecular interactions.

Background: Kazakhstan has a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Central Asian region. This study aimed to perform genomic characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains obtained from Kazakhstani patients with pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis diagnosed in Kazakhstan. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 10 pre-extensively drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains from different regions of Kazakhstan. All strains had high-confidence resistance mutations according to the resistance grading system previously established by the World Health Organization. The genome analysis was performed using TB-Profiler, Mykrobe, CASTB, and ResFinder. Results: Valuable information for understanding the genetic diversity of tuberculosis in Kazakhstan can also be obtained from whole-genome sequencing. The results from the Phenotypic Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) of bacterial strains were found to be consistent with the drug resistance information obtained from genomic data that characterized all isolates as pre-XDR. This information can help in developing targeted prevention and control strategies based on the local epidemiology of tuberculosis. Furthermore, the data obtained from whole-genome sequencing can help in tracing the transmission pathways of tuberculosis and facilitating early detection of outbreaks. Conclusions: The results from whole-genome sequencing of tuberculosis clinical samples in Kazakhstan provide important insights into the drug resistance patterns and genetic diversity of tuberculosis in the country. These results can contribute to the improvement of tuberculosis control and management programs in Kazakhstan.

The Beijing genotype is the most distributed M. tuberculosis family in Kazakhstan. In this study, we identified dominant Beijing clusters in Kazakhstan and assessed their drug susceptibility profiles and association with the most widely spread mutation Ser531Leu of the rpoB gene and the mutation Ser315Thr of the katG gene associated with resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid, respectively. M. tuberculosis isolates (n = 540) from new TB cases were included in the study. MIRU-VNTR genotyping was performed for 540 clinical isolates to determine M. tuberculosis families using 24 loci. RD analysis was additionally performed for the Beijing isolates. The identification of mutations in the drug-resistance genes of M. tuberculosis was performed with allele-specific real-time PCR and Sanger sequencing. The Beijing genotype was identified in 60% (324/540) of the clinical isolates. Central Asian/Russian cluster 94-32 was the most distributed cluster among the Beijing isolates (50.3%; 163/324). Three other dominant Beijing clusters were identified as 94-33 (3.4%; 11/324), 100-32 (3.1%; 10/324) and 99-32 (3.1%; 10/324). The Beijing genotype was associated with drug-resistant TB (p < 0.0001), including multidrug-resistant TB (p < 0.0001), in our study. An association of the mutation Ser531Leu of the rpoB gene with the Beijing genotype was found (p < 0.0001; OR = 16.0000; 95%CI: 4.9161–52.0740). Among the Beijing isolates, cluster 94-32 showed an association with MDR-TB (p = 0.021). This is why the evaluation of the Beijing genotype and its clusters is needed to control MDR-TB in Kazakhstan.

Background and Aim: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with increasing incidences of drug-sensitive (DS) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB. In addition, Mycobacterium bovis-induced zoonotic TB (zTB) presents treatment difficulties due to its resistance to pyrazinamide and the prolonged treatment duration required. This study aims to evaluate the antitubercular potential of β-aminopropioamidoxime derivatives against DS and MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis strains, and utilizing the SwissADME prognostic tool to predict the drug- and lead-likeness of the described compounds. Materials and Methods: Six β-aminopropioamidoxime derivatives were synthesized through O-aroylation of amidoxime followed by dehydration to form 1,2,4-oxadiazoles. The compounds were tested in vitro against DS, MDR M. tuberculosis, and M. bovis using Sotton’s liquid medium and subcultured on dense Lowenstein-Jensen medium. SwissADME was used to predict drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. Results: The derivatives exhibited significant antitubercular activity, with in vitro efficacy 5–100 times greater than rifampicin. 1,2,4-oxadiazoles with para-bromo and meta-chloro substituents demonstrated the highest activity against DS and MDR M. tuberculosis, while O-para-toluoyl-β-(morpholin-1-yl)propioamidoxime salts (hydrochloride, oxalate and citrate) were 10 times more active against M. bovis. SwissADME analysis confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, including high gastrointestinal absorption and drug-likeness, with lead-likeness identified in four compounds. Conclusion: The study presents β-aminopropioamidoxime derivatives as promising candidates for antitubercular therapy against both human and zTB. Their enhanced activity, oral bioavailability, and potential integration into new treatment regimens underscore their therapeutic relevance. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate their efficacy and safety for clinical applications. Keywords: antitubercular agents, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SwissADME, tuberculosis, β-aminopropioamidoximes.

Background: Rapid, accurate detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and drug resistance is crucial to reduce tuberculosis (TB) burden and prevent development of drug resistance in high-burden drug-resistant TB regions. Methods: From December 2021 to July 2022, sputum samples from 1214 adult patients with presumptive TB in Almaty, Kazakhstan, were tested by BD MAX MDR-TB (Becton Dickinson), Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF, and mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) liquid culture for detection of TB and drug resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH). Results: When compared with MGIT, BD MAX sensitivity and specificity for TB detection were 90% and 87%, and Xpert MTB/RIF results were 86% and 92%. For RIF resistance, BD MAX sensitivity and specificity were 91% and 95%, and Xpert MTB/RIF results were 94% and 92%. For INH resistance, BD MAX sensitivity and specificity were 98% and 97%. Whole genome sequencing was conducted for 24 samples with discordant RIF resistance results among the 3 devices to determine mutations related to resistance. When compared with a composite standard based on whole genome sequencing and MGIT, Xpert MTB/RIF had higher sensitivity and specificity for RIF resistance than BD MAX. Conclusions: Countries with high burden of drug-resistant TB should carry out national prevalence surveys to assess rates of multidrug-resistant TB and INH monoresistance. Those with higher rates should consider adopting BD MAX due to its ability to accurately diagnose RIF and INH resistance.