1.1 This guide covers basic considerations, criteria, principles and recommendations that should be helpful when developing, utilizing, or assessing PCR-specific protocols for the amplification and detection or identification of mycobacterial nucleic acids. This guide is not a specific protocol for the detection of specific mycobacteria. It is intended to provide information that will assist the user in obtaining high quality and reliable data. The guide is closely related to and should be used concurrently with the general PCR Guide E 1873.

1.2 This guide has been developed for use in any molecular biology or biotechnology laboratory. It may be useful for the detection of mycobacteria in clinical, diagnostic laboratories.

1.3 This guide does not cover details of the various methods such as gel electrophoresis that can be utilized to help identify PCR-amplified mycobacterial nucleic acid sequences, and it does not cover details of instrument calibration.

1.4 This guide does not cover specific variations of the basic PCR or RT-PCR technology (for example, quantitative PCR, multiplex PCR and in situ PCR), and it does not cover details of instrument calibration.

1.5 Warning-Laboratory work involving certain clinical specimens and microorganisms can be hazardous to personnel. Precaution: Biosafety Level 2 facilities are recommended for potentially hazardous work, and Biosafety Level 3 facilities are required for propagating and manipulating Mycobacteria tuberculosis cultures (). Safety guidelines should be adhered to according to NCCLS M29-T2, I17-P and other recommendations ().