Patent ID: 8652782

Claim:
A method for obtaining a population of mycobacterial-specific polynucleotides from a sample suspected of containing one or more pathogenic mycobacterial cells, which comprises: contacting the sample with an effective amount of a composition that comprises: a) one or more chaotropes; b) one or more detergents; c) one or more reducing agents; d) one or more chelators; e) one or more buffers; and f) one or more surfactants, for a time sufficient to substantially kill or lyse the one or more pathogenic mycobacterial cells therein, but not degrade the population of mycobacterial-specific polynucleotides, and to denature or inactivate proteins, enzymes, and nucleases present therein; such that, after contact with the composition, the sample is safe for handling and transport; and the integrity of the population of mycobacterial-specific polynucleotides is at least substantially maintained when stored at a temperature from about 10° C. to about 40° C. for a period from about 1 day to about 60 days, wherein the composition further comprises a quantity of a control nucleic acid of about 50 to about 500 nucleotides in length, wherein the control nucleic acid does not substantially hybridize to nucleic acids of the sample, and comprises at least 40 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:8, or the complement thereof.