PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization assay for rapid identification of Mycobacterium species

Objective: To identify Mycobacterium species rapidly by polymerase chain reaction-reverse dot blot hybridization assay (PCR-RDBHA). Methods: 126 mycobacterial clinical isolates were detected by PCR-RDBHA based on the sequence of rpoβ gene. PCR-DNA sequencing of the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) identified by PCR-RDBHA was performed as control. Results: Among 126 isolates, 115 (91.3%) were determined to be M.tuberculosis complex (MTC), 11 (8.7%) to be NTM which contained 4 M.intracellulare, 1 M.kansasii, 1 M.gordonae, 2 M.scrofulaceum and 3 M.abscessus. The results of 11 NTM identified by PCR-RDBHA were in agreement with PCR-DNA sequencing. Conclusion: It is simple, rapid, accurate and valuable in clinical application that PCR-RDBHA is applied to identify mycobacterial clinical isolates to species level.