Aim: To develop rapid method of identification of mycobacteria based on laser fluorescence.
Materials and methods: Characteristics of laser-induced fluorescence of 19 bacteria species, including 17 species of mycobacteria, were studied. Identification of microorganisms was performed using measurement of spectral-fluorescent characteristics.
Results: Library of spectral-fluorescent characteristics of mycobacteria in different concentrations ratios and associations was created, which formed the basis of database for identification of mycobacteria by laser-fluorescent method. Principles of diagnostic algorithm of indication and differentiation of mycobacteria using this method were developed. Effect of myramistin for increasing the intensity of mycobacteria fluorescence, account of the diffracting characteristics of medium for adjustment of spectral characteristics of mycobacteria and processing of data by factor analysis are needed. Efficacy of the method was 80 - 90%.
Conclusion: Principles of rapid identification of mycobacteria and their associations developed on the basis of laser-fluorescent method are experimentally founded and tested on unknown cultures of mycobacteria and objectively prove the possibility to apply this method for express identification of mycobacteria belonging to M. tuberculosis complex as well as non-tuberculous mycobacteria.