Toxin-antitoxin Genes Expression in Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates under Drug Exposure.

Based on the results, we propose that mazF expression under RIF/INH stress may be associated with drug resistance in Mtb in addition to mutations, and the mazE antitoxins may be related to enhanced susceptibility of Mtb to INH and RIF. Further experiments are needed to investigate the exact mechanism underlying the TA system role in drug resistance.