DIAGNOSIS OF CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotides based on th e repetitive sequence (IS6110) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a prim er was evaluated for detection of M.tuberculosis in clinical samples. We tested 55 clinical specimens from patients suspected of having tube rculosis and 71 specimens from control subjects. PCR was more sensitiv e than culture (positivity rate was 14.5% and 36.3%, respectively, in suspected patients). This approach to the diagnosis of tuberculosis is a valid diagnostic alternative to classical procedures.