PCR-Based Rapid Detection of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> in Blood from Immunocompetent Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Abstract

A PCR test based on insertion sequence IS1081 was developed to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms in the peripheral blood. The method was applied to blood samples from immunocompetent individuals with localized pulmonary tuberculosis. Seven of 16 (43.75%) blood samples were found to be positive for the circulating DNA copies of M. tuberculosis complex.