Stabilized, freeze-dried PCR mix for detection of mycobacteria

We report here the development of a freeze-drying procedure allowing stabilization at ambient temperature of preoptimized, premixed, and predispensed PCR mixes aimed at the detection of mycobacteria in clinical materials. The freeze-dried mixes retained activity at 4 degrees C and at 20 degrees C for 1 gear and for 3 months at 37 degrees C, as judged by their performance with 50 and 500 fg of purified Mycobacterium bovis BCG target DNA.