Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 39(1); 1992 > Article
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 1992;39(1):1-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1992.39.1.1    Published online February 1, 1992.
Diagnosis of tuberculosis : serodiagnosis and molecular biologic approach.
Wan Shik Shin
Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea
Abstract
The diagnosis of tuberculosis is usually established using staining and culturing techniques. Fluorescent stains have improved the sensitivity of direct microscopy. Improved culture media coupled with radiometric means of detecting early mycobacterial growth have shortened the time needed for cultural diagnosis. Rapid immunodiagnostic techniques based on the detection of mycobacterial antigen or of antibodies to these antigens have not, however, come into widespread clinical use. The DNA or RNA hybridization tests with labeled specific probes which have been described so far are not sensitive enough to be used for clinical speicimens without prior culturing The advent of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has opened new possibilities for diagnosis of microbial infections. This technique has already been applied to a number of microorganisms. In the field of mycobacteria the PCR has been used to identify and to detect DNAs extracted from various mycobacteria. However, despite the extraordinary enthusiasm surrounding this technique and the considerable investiment, PCR has not emerged from the developmental “ trenches" in the passed several years. It may be a considerable lenth of time before clinical microbiology laboratories become PCR playgrounds because many details remain to be worked out.
Key Words: Diagnosis tuberculosis


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