A total of 31 clinical isolates of mycobacteria consisting of 21 strains of M. avium- intracellulare complex (ten strains each of M. avium and M. intracellulare identified byspecific 125I-labeled DNA probes and one strain of M. avium-intracellulare complexidentified by conventional biochemical tests) and 10 strains of M. tuberculosis (identifiedby a specific 125I-labeled DNA probe) were subjected to identification by hybridizationprotection assay (HPA) with an acridinium-ester (AE) labeled DNA probe. The results thusobtained were in complete agreement with those obtained by 125I-labeled DNA probes (30strains) or by conventional biochemical tests (one strain). HPA by the AE-labeled DNAprobe is safe, simple and rapid, and can be done with ease in any clinical laboratory.
