FRAGMENTS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS DERIVED FROM AN APPROPRIATE MYCOBACTERIA GENOME, THEIR APPLICATIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF MYCOBACTERIA INFECTIONS AND PLASMIDES CONTAINING SAID FRAGMENTS

摘要

By aspects of the present invention, nucleic acid fragments have been obtained from the genome of mycobacteria. Applications of the nucleic acid fragments in the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections are described. One aspect provides an isolated polynucleotide of the Formula: 5'-(SEQ ID NO: 1)- (Formula III)-(SEQ ID NO: 2)-3' where Formula III represents a polynucleotide containing nucleotides 343-1152 of SEQ ID NO: 3. Primers and probes based on the isolated polynucleotide, DNA complementary to any of the polynucleotides, primers or probes are also provided by aspects of the present invention. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of detecting and identifying at least one species or group of mycobacteria. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a kit, box, or coordinated set for conducting the above method. Still another aspect of the present invention provides fragments of nucleic acids which are derived from an appropriate mycobacteria genome, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other aspects provide for their applications in the diagnosis of mycobacteria infections. Yet further aspects provide plasmids containing such fragments. The nucleotidic sequence is comprised of a nucleotidic sequence repeated in the genome of a mycobacterium and whichis specific of the bacillus of tuberculosis, and is characterized by a strong hybridation with M. tuberculosis.