Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment and found in drinking water distribution systems and household plumbing. They are opportunistic pathogens of humans, causing lung disease. Their ability to adhere and form biofilm is attributed to a waxy, lipid-rich, cell envelope. This highly hydrophobic envelope also contributes to the characteristic antibiotic-, chlorine-, and disinfectant- resistance of NTM. NTM in household plumbing reside primarily in biofilms and the ability to form biofilm has been linked to virulence. Shedding of cells from biofilm and the subsequent aerosolization of microorganisms through showerheads presents a significant public health risk, particularly to those individuals with associated risk factors. Three species of NTM, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium abscessus, were examined for adherence and biofilm formation on surfaces common to household plumbing systems, including glass, copper, stainless steel, polyvinyl chloride, and galvanized steel. All experiments were conducted with sterile, Blacksburg tap water in a CDC Biofilm Reactor. Highest adherence was observed by M. avium on galvanized steel surfaces, reaching 15,100 CFU/cm2 surface at 6 hours incubation at room temperature. After 3 weeks incubation at room temperature, biofilm formation of M. avium was also highest on galvanized steel surfaces, reaching 14,000,000 CFU/cm2 surface. Lowest adherence was observed by M. abscessus on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surfaces, reaching 40 CFU/cm2. Lowest biofilm formation was observed by M. intracellulare on glass surfaces, reaching 5,900 CFU/cm2. Surfaces, such as galvanized (zinc), on which high adherence and biofilm formation was observed, should be avoided in household plumbing systems of NTM patients and individuals at risk for developing NTM disease. Additionally, surfaces such as copper, harbor fewer NTM and may provide a safer alternative for household plumbing of NTM patients. / Master of Science

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was first diagnosed in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in 1990 and research has since focused primarily on the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) as the maintenance host and lion (Panthera leo) as a clinically affected species. However, little is known about the role that small predators might play in the tuberculosis epidemiology. The aim of this pilot study was to screen banded mongoose populations in the bTB high prevalence zone of the KNP for mycobacteria in general and for Mycobacterium bovis and other Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members in particular to detect presence of infection. Faecal swabs, tracheal swabs and tracheal lavage of 76 banded mongooses caught in cage traps within a two kilometre radius of Skukuza Rest Camp in the KNP were submitted for culture, isolation and speciation of Mycobacterium as the gold standard of bTB diagnosis. Blood was collected and serologically analysed for M. bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibodies using the ElephantTB STAT-PAK® Assay (STAT-PAK) and the EnferplexTM TB Assay (Enferplex). DPP® VetTB Assay for elephants (DPP) was used on STAT-PAK positive samples. To complement the sample set obtained from live banded mongooses 12 animals were necropsied. Lesions and pooled lymph node samples together with a standard set of organ samples were submitted for culture and histopathology analysis. Two banded mongooses had developed well demarcated, irregularly margined, greyyellow nodules of up to 5 mm diameter located in the caudal lung lobes and/ or tracheo-bronchial, retropharyngeal or superficial cervical lymph nodes. These lesions were characterised by central necrosis in the one and calcification in the other animal. Histopathologically the lesions were described as caseating necrosis associated with epithelioid macrophages and necrogranuloma with calcified centre respectively. No acid fast bacteria were identified with Ziehl-Neelsen stain. M. bovis was isolated from lung, lymph node and liver samples as well as tracheal lavages and tracheal swab from the same two banded mongooses but not from any other study animal. No other Mycobacterium of the M. tuberculosis complex was isolated. However, a variety of environmental mycobacteria, the most frequent from the Mycobacterium avium complex, M. fortuitum group, M. simiae group and M. terrae group, were cultured. M. fortuitum group was only and M. terrae group predominantly isolated from tracheal and faecal samples whereas M. simiae group and M. avium complex were the most frequent species isolated from post mortem samples, including tissue lesions and lymph nodes. Serological analysis revealed 12 banded mongooses with a positive STAT-PAK result, confirmed with DPP. Enferplex was positive for MPB83 in four and MPB70 peptide in one animal. Only two banded mongooses, the ones with the strongest positive reaction on both STAT-PAK and DPP, reacted positively on all three serological assays. These were the same two animals that had developed granulomatous lesions and that M. bovis was cultured from ante and post mortem samples. In conclusion, this study has provided the first evidence of bTB infection in banded mongooses in the KNP and demonstrated their ability to shed M. bovis. This finding has opened the discussion around possible sources of infection and its significance at the human/ wildlife interface in and around Skukuza. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Production Animal Studies / MMedVet / Unrestricted

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cause opportunistic lung disease though environmental exposure pathways. Among the United States, Hawaii has a significantly higher infection rate. Preliminary studies have shown certain environmental factors, such as phosphorus and other select soil geochemical characteristics, to be statistically significant to NTM occurrence. However, a model to predict NTM occurrence based on soil geochemistry had yet to be attempted. A selection of 40 NTM positive and 40 NTM negative soils from Oahu were selected for a geochemical analysis to search for possible correlations to mineralogy and elemental abundances that may promote, or inhibit, NTM growth in the environment. Oahu results were compared with soil chemistry from the Kilauea and Kohala areas of Hawaii Island. Parameters included mineralogy, total organic carbon (TOC), pH, major elements, and trace elements. Statistical analyses performed include: student's t-test, multidimensional hypothesis tests, principal components analysis (PCA), and multidimensional statistical analysis. The data for Oahu showed NTM presence correlated with 1:1 clays and NTM absence correlated with goethite, 2:1 clays, Nb, Ce, La, Ba, and Rb. Kohala soil data showed NTM presence correlated with Al2O3, Ce, Sc, and Sm and NTM absence correlated with rainfall, Cr, Pb, and S. Kilauea data showed NTM presence correlated with TOC, pH, P, mafic silicate minerals, and Pb and NTM absence correlated with transition metals and oxides such as TiO2, Zr, and Nb. The results of the multidimensional statistical analysis were used to build a predictive model of NTM occurrence. The best model for Oahu had an accuracy of 65.9%, while Kohala had an accuracy of 71.7% and Kilauea 79.9%. A selection of five Hawaiian rock samples consisting of basalt, volcanic glass, and saprolite were used to culture clinically significant M. abscessus and visualize the effect mineralogy has on NTM growth. NTM cells were found on all mineral surfaces. However, volcanic glass was shown to visibly increase NTM growth and survival. As time passes, the ability to predict soil features that enhance NTM predictability decreases from 79.9% in modern Kilauea soils, to 71.7% in 0.17 Ma Kohala soils, to 65.9% in ~2 Ma Oahu soils. With age, it appears that distinct properties that enhance NTM survival are either erased or weathered to a more uniform state. Nonetheless, the NTM risk remains high in Hawaii due to environmental factors.

Yes / This paper explores the effects of non-tariff measures (NTM) on extensive and intensive margins of global exports of seafood in 1996-2011. The main result of this study is the differential and opposite effect of SPS and TBT measures. While SPS measures largely increase extensive margins of export and reduce intensive margins, TBTs mostly reduce exports at extensive margins and increase exports at intensive margins. Specific trade concerns (STC) have larger effect on exports than SPS and TBT notifications, both economically and statistically. Finally, there is substantial heterogeneity of response of exports to NTMs across HS six digit product lines, but the central tendency remains the same as for aggregated data.

A obtenção de informações com qualidade sobre o nosso planeta vêm se tornando uma exigência cada vez maior. Tais informações devem apresentar um padrão mínimo de qualidade de acordo com as normas técnicas nacionais para que possam ser usadas para fins de: engenharia, cartografia, geoprocessamento e outros. Este trabalho traz subsídios para que os profissionais possam ter confiança na altimetria automática de sistemas fotogramétricos. Para isso, se realizou os modelos numéricos do terreno (MNTs) com pontos gerados automaticamente pelo sistema fotogramétrico digital SOCET SET, comparado com os dados levantados no campo com o uso do sistema GPS (Global Positioning System - Sistema de Posicionamento Global) em tempo real. Essa comparação foi realizada por método estatístico interno ao sistema fotogramétrico SOCET SET e o erro padrão obtido ficou na ordem de 26 cm. A partir desse resultado, gerou-se como produto final uma ortofoto da região em estudo. A utilização da ortofoto deve-se às características de imagens exclusivas deste tipo de produto que equivale a um mapa de linha e permite ver exatamente o objeto-imagem e não símbolos representativos. / Obtaining information with quality about our planet is becoming each time more necessary. These information must have at least the smallest standard quality according to the Brazilian rules about maps to that can be used in: engineering, cartography, data processing and others. This report deal with data to help profissionals giving them confidence in the automatic geometric height of pothogrammetrics systems. Therefore numeric terrain modeling were done with ponts generated automaticly by digital pothogrammetric system SOCET SET and compared with data collected in the field with the use of a GPS system (Global Positioning System) in real time. This comparison was realized by statistician method at SOCET SET pothogrammetric system and the standard error obtained stayed in twenty-six centimeters. As a result, the use of orthophoto, is due to its characteristics of exclusive image of this type of product what means a line map and allow to see exactly the image of the object and not representative symbols.

A obtenção de informações com qualidade sobre o nosso planeta vêm se tornando uma exigência cada vez maior. Tais informações devem apresentar um padrão mínimo de qualidade de acordo com as normas técnicas nacionais para que possam ser usadas para fins de: engenharia, cartografia, geoprocessamento e outros. Este trabalho traz subsídios para que os profissionais possam ter confiança na altimetria automática de sistemas fotogramétricos. Para isso, se realizou os modelos numéricos do terreno (MNTs) com pontos gerados automaticamente pelo sistema fotogramétrico digital SOCET SET, comparado com os dados levantados no campo com o uso do sistema GPS (Global Positioning System - Sistema de Posicionamento Global) em tempo real. Essa comparação foi realizada por método estatístico interno ao sistema fotogramétrico SOCET SET e o erro padrão obtido ficou na ordem de 26 cm. A partir desse resultado, gerou-se como produto final uma ortofoto da região em estudo. A utilização da ortofoto deve-se às características de imagens exclusivas deste tipo de produto que equivale a um mapa de linha e permite ver exatamente o objeto-imagem e não símbolos representativos. / Obtaining information with quality about our planet is becoming each time more necessary. These information must have at least the smallest standard quality according to the Brazilian rules about maps to that can be used in: engineering, cartography, data processing and others. This report deal with data to help profissionals giving them confidence in the automatic geometric height of pothogrammetrics systems. Therefore numeric terrain modeling were done with ponts generated automaticly by digital pothogrammetric system SOCET SET and compared with data collected in the field with the use of a GPS system (Global Positioning System) in real time. This comparison was realized by statistician method at SOCET SET pothogrammetric system and the standard error obtained stayed in twenty-six centimeters. As a result, the use of orthophoto, is due to its characteristics of exclusive image of this type of product what means a line map and allow to see exactly the image of the object and not representative symbols.

As micobactérias compreendem um grupo de organismos que são heterogêneos em termos de metabolismo, crescimento, nicho ambiental, epidemiologia, patogenicidade, distribuição geográfica e associação com doenças. O diagnóstico micobacteriológico é atualmente um desafio aos laboratórios. Com a descrição de novas espécies de micobactérias nos últimos anos, tem sido cada vez mais difícil identificar com precisão estas espécies. Uma questão básica na identificação em micobactérias é a diferenciação entre o Complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis e as Micobactérias Não Causadoras de Tuberculose (MNT); no entanto tem sido cada vez mais importante a diferenciação das MNT. Em virtude das semelhanças fenotípicas e genotípicas, é necessário a aplicação e desenvolvimento de metodologias que melhor caracterizem as MNT para que seja possível determinar de forma mais precisa a prevalência das diferentes espécies. Além disso, diferentes espécies de MNT podem apresentar diferenças no perfil de sensibilidade às drogas terapêuticas, sendo que a identificação precisa é crucial para a adoção de terapia medicamentosa adequada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os isolados de MNT através da comparação entre duas técnicas moleculares, a técnica de PRA-hsp65 e um kit comercial GenoType® Mycobacterium CM, usando o método de sequenciamento do gene hsp65 como padrãoouro. Foram analisadas 96 isolados e a concordância entre os resultados do PRA-hsp65 e do GenoType® Mycobacterium CM foi de 92%. O método molecular PRA-hsp65 mostrou-se eficaz na identificação das espécies em 91% das amostras e o GenoType® Mycobacterium CM em 92%. Em relação aos custos referentes aos dois métodos, foi possível estabelecer que o PRA-hsp65 apresentou um valor final consideravelmente inferior ao do GenoType® Mycobacterium CM. No entanto, a técnica comercial necessita um prazo mais curto (2 dias) para ser realizada em comparação com a técnica PRA-hsp65 (requer 5 dias). Na nossa avaliação, a aplicabilidade do PRA-hsp65 aumenta a qualidade e rapidez do resultado final, já que se mostrou discriminatório, de baixo custo e relativamente de fácil execução na identificação de micobactérias. É possível concluir que ambas as técnicas moleculares avaliadas neste estudo apresentaram uma ótima capacidade de identificação de MNT, sendo que a implementação destas técnicas dependerá das características dos diferentes laboratórios bem como as necessidades clínicas das diferentes instituições. / Mycobacteria comprise a group of organisms that are heterogeneous in terms of metabolism, growth, environmental niche, epidemiology, pathogenicity, geographic distribution and disease association. The laboratory diagnosis of mycobacteria is currently a challenge to laboratories. Due to the increased description of new species of mycobacteria in recent years it is becoming difficult to accurately identify these species. A basic question in the identification of mycobacteria is the differentiation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM); however it has been increasingly important to differentiate the NTM species. Due to the fact that there are phenotypic and genotypic similarities, it is necessary to apply and develop methodologies to better characterize the NTM to be able to determine more accurately the prevalence of different species. Furthermore, different NTM species may differ in the profile of sensitivity to therapeutic drugs, and accurate identification is crucial for the adoption of appropriate drug therapy. The objective of this study was to characterize NTM isolates by comparing two molecular techniques, the technique of PRA-hsp65 (PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis) and a commercial kit GenoType® Mycobacterium CM, using the sequencing the hsp65 gene as gold standard. We analyzed 96 samples and the concordance between the results of the PRA-hsp65 and the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM was 92%. The PRA-hsp65 molecular method proved to be effective in 91% of species identification and the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM in 92%. Regarding costs for the two methods, we could establish that the PRA-hsp65 had a final value considerably lower than the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM. However, the commercial technique requires a shorter period (2 days) to be performed in comparison with the technique PRA-hsp65 (requires five days). In our evaluation, the applicability of the PRA-hsp65 increases the quality and speed of the final result (in relation to traditional phenotypic identification or outsourcing in referral centers), and proved to be discriminatory, inexpensive and relatively easy to perform the identification of mycobacteria. Finally, we conclude that both molecular techniques evaluated in this study showed a great capacity for identification of NTM and that the implementation of these techniques. However, depend on the characteristics of different laboratories as well as the clinical needs of different institutions.

As micobactérias compreendem um grupo de organismos que são heterogêneos em termos de metabolismo, crescimento, nicho ambiental, epidemiologia, patogenicidade, distribuição geográfica e associação com doenças. O diagnóstico micobacteriológico é atualmente um desafio aos laboratórios. Com a descrição de novas espécies de micobactérias nos últimos anos, tem sido cada vez mais difícil identificar com precisão estas espécies. Uma questão básica na identificação em micobactérias é a diferenciação entre o Complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis e as Micobactérias Não Causadoras de Tuberculose (MNT); no entanto tem sido cada vez mais importante a diferenciação das MNT. Em virtude das semelhanças fenotípicas e genotípicas, é necessário a aplicação e desenvolvimento de metodologias que melhor caracterizem as MNT para que seja possível determinar de forma mais precisa a prevalência das diferentes espécies. Além disso, diferentes espécies de MNT podem apresentar diferenças no perfil de sensibilidade às drogas terapêuticas, sendo que a identificação precisa é crucial para a adoção de terapia medicamentosa adequada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os isolados de MNT através da comparação entre duas técnicas moleculares, a técnica de PRA-hsp65 e um kit comercial GenoType® Mycobacterium CM, usando o método de sequenciamento do gene hsp65 como padrãoouro. Foram analisadas 96 isolados e a concordância entre os resultados do PRA-hsp65 e do GenoType® Mycobacterium CM foi de 92%. O método molecular PRA-hsp65 mostrou-se eficaz na identificação das espécies em 91% das amostras e o GenoType® Mycobacterium CM em 92%. Em relação aos custos referentes aos dois métodos, foi possível estabelecer que o PRA-hsp65 apresentou um valor final consideravelmente inferior ao do GenoType® Mycobacterium CM. No entanto, a técnica comercial necessita um prazo mais curto (2 dias) para ser realizada em comparação com a técnica PRA-hsp65 (requer 5 dias). Na nossa avaliação, a aplicabilidade do PRA-hsp65 aumenta a qualidade e rapidez do resultado final, já que se mostrou discriminatório, de baixo custo e relativamente de fácil execução na identificação de micobactérias. É possível concluir que ambas as técnicas moleculares avaliadas neste estudo apresentaram uma ótima capacidade de identificação de MNT, sendo que a implementação destas técnicas dependerá das características dos diferentes laboratórios bem como as necessidades clínicas das diferentes instituições. / Mycobacteria comprise a group of organisms that are heterogeneous in terms of metabolism, growth, environmental niche, epidemiology, pathogenicity, geographic distribution and disease association. The laboratory diagnosis of mycobacteria is currently a challenge to laboratories. Due to the increased description of new species of mycobacteria in recent years it is becoming difficult to accurately identify these species. A basic question in the identification of mycobacteria is the differentiation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM); however it has been increasingly important to differentiate the NTM species. Due to the fact that there are phenotypic and genotypic similarities, it is necessary to apply and develop methodologies to better characterize the NTM to be able to determine more accurately the prevalence of different species. Furthermore, different NTM species may differ in the profile of sensitivity to therapeutic drugs, and accurate identification is crucial for the adoption of appropriate drug therapy. The objective of this study was to characterize NTM isolates by comparing two molecular techniques, the technique of PRA-hsp65 (PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis) and a commercial kit GenoType® Mycobacterium CM, using the sequencing the hsp65 gene as gold standard. We analyzed 96 samples and the concordance between the results of the PRA-hsp65 and the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM was 92%. The PRA-hsp65 molecular method proved to be effective in 91% of species identification and the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM in 92%. Regarding costs for the two methods, we could establish that the PRA-hsp65 had a final value considerably lower than the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM. However, the commercial technique requires a shorter period (2 days) to be performed in comparison with the technique PRA-hsp65 (requires five days). In our evaluation, the applicability of the PRA-hsp65 increases the quality and speed of the final result (in relation to traditional phenotypic identification or outsourcing in referral centers), and proved to be discriminatory, inexpensive and relatively easy to perform the identification of mycobacteria. Finally, we conclude that both molecular techniques evaluated in this study showed a great capacity for identification of NTM and that the implementation of these techniques. However, depend on the characteristics of different laboratories as well as the clinical needs of different institutions.

As micobactérias compreendem um grupo de organismos que são heterogêneos em termos de metabolismo, crescimento, nicho ambiental, epidemiologia, patogenicidade, distribuição geográfica e associação com doenças. O diagnóstico micobacteriológico é atualmente um desafio aos laboratórios. Com a descrição de novas espécies de micobactérias nos últimos anos, tem sido cada vez mais difícil identificar com precisão estas espécies. Uma questão básica na identificação em micobactérias é a diferenciação entre o Complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis e as Micobactérias Não Causadoras de Tuberculose (MNT); no entanto tem sido cada vez mais importante a diferenciação das MNT. Em virtude das semelhanças fenotípicas e genotípicas, é necessário a aplicação e desenvolvimento de metodologias que melhor caracterizem as MNT para que seja possível determinar de forma mais precisa a prevalência das diferentes espécies. Além disso, diferentes espécies de MNT podem apresentar diferenças no perfil de sensibilidade às drogas terapêuticas, sendo que a identificação precisa é crucial para a adoção de terapia medicamentosa adequada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os isolados de MNT através da comparação entre duas técnicas moleculares, a técnica de PRA-hsp65 e um kit comercial GenoType® Mycobacterium CM, usando o método de sequenciamento do gene hsp65 como padrãoouro. Foram analisadas 96 isolados e a concordância entre os resultados do PRA-hsp65 e do GenoType® Mycobacterium CM foi de 92%. O método molecular PRA-hsp65 mostrou-se eficaz na identificação das espécies em 91% das amostras e o GenoType® Mycobacterium CM em 92%. Em relação aos custos referentes aos dois métodos, foi possível estabelecer que o PRA-hsp65 apresentou um valor final consideravelmente inferior ao do GenoType® Mycobacterium CM. No entanto, a técnica comercial necessita um prazo mais curto (2 dias) para ser realizada em comparação com a técnica PRA-hsp65 (requer 5 dias). Na nossa avaliação, a aplicabilidade do PRA-hsp65 aumenta a qualidade e rapidez do resultado final, já que se mostrou discriminatório, de baixo custo e relativamente de fácil execução na identificação de micobactérias. É possível concluir que ambas as técnicas moleculares avaliadas neste estudo apresentaram uma ótima capacidade de identificação de MNT, sendo que a implementação destas técnicas dependerá das características dos diferentes laboratórios bem como as necessidades clínicas das diferentes instituições. / Mycobacteria comprise a group of organisms that are heterogeneous in terms of metabolism, growth, environmental niche, epidemiology, pathogenicity, geographic distribution and disease association. The laboratory diagnosis of mycobacteria is currently a challenge to laboratories. Due to the increased description of new species of mycobacteria in recent years it is becoming difficult to accurately identify these species. A basic question in the identification of mycobacteria is the differentiation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM); however it has been increasingly important to differentiate the NTM species. Due to the fact that there are phenotypic and genotypic similarities, it is necessary to apply and develop methodologies to better characterize the NTM to be able to determine more accurately the prevalence of different species. Furthermore, different NTM species may differ in the profile of sensitivity to therapeutic drugs, and accurate identification is crucial for the adoption of appropriate drug therapy. The objective of this study was to characterize NTM isolates by comparing two molecular techniques, the technique of PRA-hsp65 (PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis) and a commercial kit GenoType® Mycobacterium CM, using the sequencing the hsp65 gene as gold standard. We analyzed 96 samples and the concordance between the results of the PRA-hsp65 and the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM was 92%. The PRA-hsp65 molecular method proved to be effective in 91% of species identification and the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM in 92%. Regarding costs for the two methods, we could establish that the PRA-hsp65 had a final value considerably lower than the GenoType® Mycobacterium CM. However, the commercial technique requires a shorter period (2 days) to be performed in comparison with the technique PRA-hsp65 (requires five days). In our evaluation, the applicability of the PRA-hsp65 increases the quality and speed of the final result (in relation to traditional phenotypic identification or outsourcing in referral centers), and proved to be discriminatory, inexpensive and relatively easy to perform the identification of mycobacteria. Finally, we conclude that both molecular techniques evaluated in this study showed a great capacity for identification of NTM and that the implementation of these techniques. However, depend on the characteristics of different laboratories as well as the clinical needs of different institutions.

Den mest välkända arten i släktet Mycobacterium som kan orsaka sjukdom hos människan är Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Infektioner av andra mykobakterier ökar världen över. Dessa benämns icke-tuberkulösa mykobakterier (NTM) och orsakar ofta liknande symtom som de vid MTB-infektion. Vanligtvis krävs dock olika behandlingar beroende på om infektionen är orsakad av MTB eller av NTM. Nuvarande diagnostik bygger på odling och mikroskopi, men analyser som innefattar molekylärbiologiska metoder för undersökning av mykobakteriers DNA blir allt vanligare. I denna studie jämfördes olika PCR-metoder för identifiering av NTM, där metoderna baserades på två tidigare publicerade artiklar. Tester gjordes på DNA från sex NTM-stammar med MTB-DNA som referens. För påvisning av hela släktet Mycobacterium användes primers riktade mot hsp65 och 16S, och för att kunna urskilja MTB från NTM användes primers riktade mot IS6110, IS1081 och ITS-MTC. Undersökningarna visade lägre Ct-värden och högre PCR-effektivitet för hsp65 än för 16S men tester med avseende på MTB-specifika primers visade samtliga amplifiering även för NTM. / The most well-known species of the genus Mycobacterium that can cause human disease is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Infections caused by other mycobacteria is an increasing problem worldwide. These mycobacteria are known as non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and they often cause similar symptoms as those in MTB-caused infections. Usually different treatments are required depending on if the infection is caused by NTM or MTB. Current diagnostic methods are based on culture and microscopy, though molecular methods are becoming more common. In this study different PCR-methods for identification of NTM’s were compared. The different methods were based on two earlier published articles. Experiments were made with DNA from six NTM-species and with DNA from MTB as reference. To detect all mycobacteria primers targeting hsp65 and 16S were used, and primers targeting IS6110, IS1081 and ITS-MTC were used to separate MTB from NTM. This study showed lower Ct-values and higher PCR-efficiency for hsp65 than for 16S, but comparative tests regarding MTB-specific primers showed, with all three primer pairs, amplification of NTM as well.