Dipti Shrestha

Dr. Dipti Shrestha


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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DSDipti Shrestha
Dipti Shrestha
BMBhagwan Maharjan
Bhagwan Maharjan
JTJeewan Thapa
Jeewan Thapa
MAMwangala Lonah Akapelwa
Mwangala Lonah Akapelwa
PBPrecious Bwalya
Precious Bwalya
Yasuhiko SuzukiYasuhiko Suzuki
Yasuhiko Suzuki
Without the proper information on pyrazinamide (PZA) susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), PZA is inappropriately recommended for the treatment of both susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Nepal. This study aimed to collect information regarding PZA susceptibility in MTB isolates from Nepal by analyzing pncA and its upstream regulatory region (URR). A total of 211 MTB isolates were included in this study. Sequence analysis of pncA and its URR was performed to assess PZA resistance. First-line drug susceptibility testing, spoligotyping, and sequence analysis of rpoB, katG, the inhA regulatory region, gyrA, gyrB, and rrs were performed to assess their association with pncA mutation. Sequencing results reveal that 125 (59.2%) isolates harbored alterations in pncA and its URR. A total of 57 different mutation types (46 reported and 11 novel) were scattered throughout the whole length of the pncA gene. Eighty-seven isolates (41.2%) harbored mutations in pncA, causing PZA resistance in MTB. There was a more significant association of pncA alterations in MDR/pre-extensively drug-resistant (Pre-XDR) TB than in mono-resistant/pan-susceptible TB (p < 0.005). This first report on the increasing level of PZA resistance in DR-TB in Nepal highlights the importance of PZA susceptibility testing before DR-TB treatment.