Which modified PCR technique or method of amplification is used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

Transcription-mediated amplification is a specific technique designed to enhance the detection of RNA viruses and some bacteria by amplifying RNA to a detectable level. This method is particularly valuable in situations where the target organism, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, may be present in low quantities.

In the case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can be challenging to culture and detect due to its slow growth rate, transcription-mediated amplification allows for quick and sensitive detection by generating multiple copies of the target RNA. This is achieved by converting the RNA to complementary DNA (cDNA) and then amplifying that cDNA, thus providing a reliable method for diagnosis.

Real-time PCR is also a common method for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but it specifically relies on DNA amplification and is typically used for quantifying the amount of DNA present in a sample. Nested PCR involves two rounds of PCR for increased specificity but is not primarily designed for the amplification of RNA targets. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification is another method that can be used for various pathogens; however, it is less commonly associated specifically with detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis compared to transcription-mediated amplification.