Variability in Intrinsic Drug Tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Corresponds with Phylogenetic Lineage

A new study has shed light on the relationship between variability in intrinsic drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and its phylogenetic lineage. The research suggests that certain strains of Mtb are more intrinsically drug-tolerant and more readily evolve drug resistance. This has significant implications for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), a disease that claims thousands of lives worldwide each year.

Key Takeaways:

• The study, conducted by researchers at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, found that strains of Mtb belonging to lineages (L) 2 and L4 exhibit higher drug tolerance compared to strains from lineages L1 and L2.
• The researchers used a high-throughput assay to measure drug tolerance in Mtb and found that L3 and L4 strains had higher tolerance compared to L1 and L2 strains.
• Phylogenetically closely related strains exhibited similar levels of tolerance, suggesting that tolerance is heritable.
• The study also explored genes previously reported to be associated with tolerance in Mtb and found significant enrichment in mutations in genes involved in cell wall and cell processes, intermediary metabolism and respiration, as well as lipid metabolism in high-tolerance strains.
• The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
• The study was funded by the European Research Council, Swiss National Science Foundation, and Swiss National Science Foundation.
• The research has significant implications for the treatment of TB and the development of new drugs and therapies.

Statistics:

• 2 phylogenetic lineages of Mtb (L2 and L4) were found to be more intrinsically drug-tolerant and more readily evolve drug resistance (Source: Variability in intrinsic drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis corresponds with phylogenetic lineage, National Library of Medicine).
• 1 high-throughput assay was used to measure drug tolerance in Mtb (Source: Variability in intrinsic drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis corresponds with phylogenetic lineage, National Library of Medicine).
• 5860: the volume and page number of the journal where the research was published (Source: NewsRx, November 4, 2025).
• 3 years: the time period over which the study was conducted (Source: NewsRx, November 4, 2025).

Sources:

• Variability in intrinsic drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis corresponds with phylogenetic lineage. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2025.
• NewsRx. Researchers at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Target Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Variability in intrinsic drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis corresponds with phylogenetic lineage). TB & Outbreaks Week. November 4, 2025; p 5860.