<i>Mycobacterium</i> : General Characteristics, Laboratory Processing, Staining, Isolation, and Detection Procedures

Abstract The genus Mycobacterium encompasses several prominent pathogenic species, most notably the members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Mycobacterium leprae , and Mycobacterium ulcerans . Continued use of the single genus and long‐standing taxonomy will provide laboratorians and clinicians with a standardized approach for assessment of patients with mycobacterial disease and/or colonization that will result in fewer errors while conserving often limited and valuable resources. The sensitivity and time to growth detection of the Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube system are superior to that of solid media in clinical evaluations. With the advent of molecular techniques designed for molecular epidemiology, cross‐contamination linked either to laboratory procedures or, more rarely, to contaminated bronchoscopes can easily be proven. Quality control (QC) is vital for monitoring a laboratory's effectiveness in detecting and isolating mycobacteria. This includes standard components of laboratory quality assurance, such as personnel competency, procedure manuals, external proficiency testing, and QC of media, tests, and reagents.