Use of Specific rRNA Oligonucleotide Probes for Microscopic Detection of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> in Culture and Tissue Specimens

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections are a major global health problem. Fast and accurate detection of M. tuberculosis is clearly needed at both the clinical level and the research level. We report a rapid and reliable in situ hybridization technique using rRNA oligonucleotide probes for the identification of M. tuberculosis in tissues and cultures.