Molecular diagnostic tools in mycobacteriology

Although the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis and susceptibility testing are still primarily based on conventional methods (staining, culture, biochemical analysis, proportional method), a series of molecular assays are increasingly introduced and incorporated in the workflow of clinical mycobacteriology laboratories worldwide. These assays are rapid and offer high sensitivities and specificities. In the present review, we describe the molecular assays concerning the early detection of Mycobacteria in clinical specimens, the identification of mycobacterial species, the detection of drug resistance and the typing for epidemiological investigations. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.