[The use of DNA probes for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis]

Mycobacterium-specific nonradioactive DNA probes have been tested able to detect mycobacteria in clinical samples (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage) for 48 hours. The probes sensitivity makes up 1000-10,000 cells. Molecular hybridization confirms the results of DNA-probe diagnostic conclusion of tuberculosis more frequently than the results of standard microbiological tests.