Our laboratory has a long history of being involved in research with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other commonly encountered mycobacteria. M. tuberculosis is the bacterial agent that causes tuberculosis in humans, M. bovis causes bovine tuberculosis, M. bovis BCG is used as vaccine in some parts of the world, and M. avium causes disseminated infections in AIDS patients.
Tuberculosis is a major health problem in the world.
The incidence is increasing in the U.S., mainly affecting the elderly, minority groups, HIV-infected persons, and foreign born. Control of this tuberculosis epidemic depends on the availability of rapid diagnosis and treatment. The PCR assay amplifies the insertion sequence IS6110 directly in clinical specimens on the same day they are collected. Currently we are evaluating the assay for its usefulness in diagnosing tuberculosis and monitoring the response of patients receiving antituberculosis therapy. A collaboration with industry involves developing another diagnostic assay based on strand displacement amplification technology.