Differentiation of four Mycobacterium Species using DNA-DNA Hybridization Method using Specific Probes

DNA-DNA hybridization method with four oligonucleotide-specific probes was used simultaneously for differentiation and identification of four Mycobacterium species (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. avium, M. intracellulare, and M. kansasii). This DNA-DNA hybridization method with 4 oligonucleotide-specific probes, which targets in the rpoB region of 4 Mycobacteria species, respectively, was tested on 322 clinical isolates. Using DNA-DNA hybridization method, we detected M. tuberculosis (282 strains), M. avim (7 strains), M. intracellulare (9 strains), and M. kansasii (3 strain) from 322 clinical isolates. This result was compared with conventional biochemical test and rpoB DNA sequence analysis of this clinical isolates. We confirmed identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. avium, M. intracellulare, and M. kansasii with high sensitivity (100 %) and specificity (100 %). This DNA-DNA hybridization method could be performed within 4 hours at least. Therefore, we suggest that DNA- DNA hybridization method using 4 rpoB DNA probes of Mycobacteria could be used for accurate, rapid, convenient detection and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. avium, M. intracellulare, and M. kansasii in clinical samples.