[Polymerase chain reaction for identification of Mycobacterium in sputa]

Polymerase chain reaction was applied to the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections. This reaction could detect bacteria in clinical specimens within a few hours. Sensitivities of the five primer systems reported in 1990 were compared. It was proved that the primer system reported by Eisenach et al. was as sensitive as culture on Ogawa's medium for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputa. Other systems were found to be less sensitive than this system, and the nested PCR should be applied to make these systems highly sensitive. For the practical application of PCR method, we should improve the detection system to fit for the practice in clinical laboratory. High cost of PCR system could be another barrier for the practical application.