Abstract
Aim. To compare results of mycobacteria identification by bacteriologic methods as well as by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Materials and methods. Two hundred and eighty strains of mycobacteria isolated from respiratory specimens and identified by bacteriologic methods and HPLC were studied. Results. It was established that results of HLPC use were highly correlated with results of microbiologic methods of mycobacteria identification: for identification of M.tuberculosis complex the correlation was 97.0%, for nontuberculous (NTM) slowly growing mycobacteria - 95.3%, for quickly growing NTM - 96.2% (overall - 96.1%). Results of identification of mycobacteria by HPLC were ready in significantly shorter time-frame (during 24 hours). Conclusion. HLPC method could be recommended for identification of mycobacteria in bacteriologic reference laboratories.