Abstract: Objective To compare the traditional culture method with PCR-fluorescence probe method for the identification of mycobacteria.  Methods One thousand five hundred and fifty two mycobacterial strains from clinical isolates were tested by PNB-TCH growth test and PCR-fluorescent probe method, in which the strains with different testing results were confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing method.  Results Between two methods, the coincidence rate of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) was 75.4% (46/61), the coincidence rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) was 99.0% (1491/1506), and the overall coincidence rate was 99.0% (1537/1552). 15 strains with different testing results were sequenced with 16S rRNA gene, in which 14 were consistent with the results of PCR-probe method, and 1 was isolated and cultured, then confirmed with mixed bacteria of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium Gordon. The sensitivity of PNB culture for NTM was 21.7% (13/60), and the PNB-resistant rate of MTBC was 0.1%（1/1492）. Of 13 PNB-sensitive NTM stains, 10 (76.9%) were Mycobacterium kansasii.  Conclusion The identification of part NTM isolates was misjudged using the PNB-TCH growth tests, while the PCR-fluorescent probe method for the identification of MTBC and NTM strains had higher accuracy.

Key words: Nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacteriological techniques, Polymerase chain reaction, Comp study