Multiplex Real-Time PCR-shortTUBAssay for Detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosisComplex in Smear-Negative Clinical Samples with Low Mycobacterial Loads

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem worldwide. Control of TB requires rapid, accurate diagnosis of active disease. However, extrapulmonary TB is very difficult to diagnose because the clinical specimens have very low bacterial loads. Several molecular methods involving direct detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC) have emerged in recent years.