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Home / The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 12, Number 11

Direct application of the PCR restriction analysis method for identifying NTM species in AFB smear-positive respiratory specimens [Short communication]

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The early differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and the identification of NTM species are crucial for the proper management of patients with smear-positive sputum. We evaluated the usefulness of a polymerase chain reaction restriction analysis (PRA) method based on the rpoB gene for identifying NTM species in a study of 121 smear-positive respiratory specimens with presumed NTM. The PRA method amplified mycobacterial DNA in 72 specimens (60%) and differentiated NTM species correctly in 68 (94%). The PRA method could be a useful and rapid method for identifying NTM species in smear-positive respiratory specimens when urgent clinical decisions are required.

Keywords: non-tuberculous mycobacteria; polymerase chain reaction; restriction fragment length polymorphism; sputum

Document Type: Short Communication

Affiliations: 1: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea 2: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Publication date: 01 November 2008

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  • The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.

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