title: Molecular diagnostic tools in mycobacteriology.
abstract: Although the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis and susceptibility testing are still primarily based on conventional methods (staining, culture, biochemical analysis, proportional method), a series of molecular assays are increasingly introduced and incorporated in the workflow of clinical mycobacteriology laboratories worldwide. These assays are rapid and offer high sensitivities and specificities. In the present review, we describe the molecular assays concerning the early detection of Mycobacteria in clinical specimens, the identification of mycobacterial species, the detection of drug resistance and the typing for epidemiological investigations.
authors.affiliation: Mycobacteriology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 712 01 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ineonakis@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ioannis K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Neonakis
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gitti
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krambovitis
authors.forename: Demetrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spandidos
mesh_terms: D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology