Frequency of Codon 306 Mutations in embB Gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Resistant to Ethambutol: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ethambutol (EMB) resistance is a major concern in patients with tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency rate of mutations in 306 gene of ( ) resistant to EMB, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis. Thirty-seven original articles (1997-2015) that have been published in valid databases were considered for this research. The articles were systematically reviewed for the prevalence and rate of mutations in 306 in EMB-resistant . Data were analyzed using meta-analysis and random effects models (CI 95%, < 0.10). With a 6,931 sample size in 37 original articles, the lowest rate was related to EMB resistance that was observed in 2014 with 0.05 (95% CI: 0.04-0.07) and the highest prevalence rate was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.68-1.01), observed in 1997. Lowest and highest prevalence rates of 306 gene mutation in were 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.07) in 2014 and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71-1.84) in 2005, in the USA, respectively. The present study revealed the prevalence and association of mutations in the 306 gene of with resistance to EMB. Detecting EMB-resistant can help in controlling and correcting the administration of drugs for patients with TB.