Evaluation of a Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification Method for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex on Samples from Different Sources

Using primers specific for the IS6110 region of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, successful amplification by the polymerase chain reaction was demonstrated in 81 of 84 archive specimens from patients who had been clinically diagnosed 2 months to 16 y previously as having tuberculosis. Depending on the time of storage of the specimens, extra DNA bands were found in addition to the IS6110 region band.