METHOD FOR EVALUATING THE VIRULENCE OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS COMPLEX STRAINS AND USE OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS COMPLEX-STRAIN BACILLARY AGGREGATES IN LIQUID CULTURE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SAID EVALUATION

摘要

Method for evaluating the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains and use of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-strain bacillary aggregates in liquid culture for the purposes of said evaluation. The method proposes evaluating said virulence on the basis of analysis of one or more variables associated with the size of the aggregations or bacillary aggregates present in an in vitro culture of said strains in liquid medium, in which said variable is linked to the sedimentation rate of the bacillary aggregates or is linked to size distributions (equivalent to considering the areas occupied) of the bacillary aggregations present in an in vitro culture of said strains in liquid medium.