Globally, mutations in the katG gene account for the majority of isoniazid-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Buyankhishig et al. analyzed a limited number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Mongolia and found that isoniazid resistance was mainly attributable to inhA mutations (B. Buyankhishig, T. Oyuntuya, B. Tserelmaa, J. Sarantuya, et al., Int J Mycobacteriol 1:40–44, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmyco.2012.01.007). The GenoType MTBDRplus assay was performed for isolates collected in the First National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey and the Third Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Survey to investigate genetic mutations associated with isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mongolia. Of the 409 isoniazid-resistant isolates detected by the GenoType MTBDRplus assay, 127 (31.1%) were resistant to rifampin, 294 (71.9%) had inhA mutations without katG mutations, 113 (27.6%) had katG mutations without inhA mutations, and 2 (0.5%) had mutations in both the inhA and katG genes. Of the 115 strains with any katG mutation, 114 (99.1%) had mutations in codon 315 (S315T). Of the 296 strains with any inhA mutation, 290 (98.0%) had a C15T mutation. The proportions of isoniazid-resistant strains with katG mutations were 25.3% among new cases and 36.2% among retreatment cases (P = 0.03) and 17.0% among rifampin-susceptible strains and 52.8% among rifampin-resistant strains (P < 0.01). Rifampin resistance was significantly associated with the katG mutation (adjusted odds ratio, 5.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3 to 8.67, P < 0.001). Mutations in inhA predominated in isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis in Mongolia. However, the proportion of katG mutations in isolates from previously treated cases was higher than in those from new cases, and the proportion in cases with rifampin resistance was higher than in cases without rifampin resistance.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) and indoor air pollution (IAP) are equally critical public health issues in the developing world. Mongolia is experiencing the double burden of TB and IAP due to solid fuel combustion. However, no study has assessed the relationship between household solid fuel use and TB in Mongolia. The present study aimed to assess the association between household solid fuel use and TB based on data from the Mongolian National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey (MNTP Survey). Method The MNTP Survey was a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional survey targeting households in Mongolia from 2014 to 2015, with the aim of evaluating the prevalence of TB. The survey adopted a multistage cluster sampling design in accordance with the World Health Organization prevalence survey guidelines. Clusters with at least 500 residents were selected by random sampling. A sample size of 98 clusters with 54,100 participants was estimated to be required for the survey, and 41,450 participants were included in the final analysis of the present study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on environmental and individual factors related to TB. Physical examination, chest X-ray, and sputum examinations were also performed to diagnose TB. Results The use of solid fuels for heating (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–2.1), male gender (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.6–3.2), divorced or widowed (aOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.7–3.8), daily smoker (aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.5), contact with an active TB case (aOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2–2.3), being underweight (aOR: 3.7; 95% CI: 2.4–5.7), and previous history of TB (aOR: 4.3; 95% CI: 3.0–6.1) were significantly associated with bacteriologically confirmed TB after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusion The use of solid fuels for heating was significantly associated with active TB in Mongolian adults. Increased public awareness is needed on the use of household solid fuels, a source of IAP.

Following the publication of the original article [1] the authors noticed that the correction requested in Table 4 was not implemented. The "₮ "should be inserted in the "()" following "Household monthly income" as shown below."Household monthly income (₮); n (%)". The original article [1] has been updated.