Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Species by Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Enzyme Analysis (PCR-REA) of rpoB gene in Clinical Isolates

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are an emerging global health concern with increasing incidence. Conventional identification methods for NTM species in clinical settings are prone to errors. This study evaluates a newer method, polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme analysis (PCR-REA) of the rpoB gene, for NTM species identification. The study identified NTM species in clinical samples using conventional biochemical techniques and compared the results with PCR-REA of the rpoB gene. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary health-care center in North India over 18 months, analyzing both pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples.