[Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the method of gas-liquid chromatography].

Gas-liquid chromatography was used to study the composition of fatty acids and hydrocarbons of different types of Mycobacteria, including M. tuberculosis, opportunistic Mycobacteria and acid-fast saprophytes. In terms of composition of fatty acids and hydrocarbons, clinical and laboratory strains of M. tuberculosis are very similar. The cellular higher fatty acids of M. tuberculosis differ much from those of opportunistic Mycobacteria and acid-fast saprophytes. The findings can be used for the identification and differentiation of different types of Mycobacteria.