DNA hybridization probes for identification of mycobacteria.

摘要

A nucleic acid sequence specific for genomic nucleic acid of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is disclosed. This sequence is from M. tuberculosis and can hybridize with certain members of the tuberculosis complex of mycobacteria, e.g. M. tuberculosis, M. bovis and the Montreal strain of M. bovis (Calmette Bacille-Guerin). This invention also pertains to DNA fragments identified by amplification of mycobacterial nucleic acid by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers derived from this isolated nucleic acid sequence of M. tuberculosis. DNA fragments amplified in this manner will specifically hybridize with nucleic acid from M. tuberculosis. The invention also pertains to diagnostic methods such as hybridization assays which employ the nucleic acid sequences and to kits for performing the assays.