Rapid and sensitive detection of antibiotic-resistant mycobacteria using oligonucleotide probes specific for ribosomal rna precursors

摘要

The invention relates to methods and oligonucleotide probe compositions useful for determining antibiotic resistance in Mycobacteria. Included are methods for freeing intact precursor ribosomal RNA from mycobacterial cells and for assaying the levels of pre-rRNA in the cells. Also claimed are methods useful in discovering new anti-mycobacterial therapeutic agents.