Identification of Mycobacterium avium with monoclonal antibodies

A panel of Moabs specific for M. tuberculosis F24-2, F29-3, F29-50 and M. avium F75-2, F75-10, F85-2, F85-3 and F85-5 was used to identify mycobacterial isolates from ten patients with AIDS and eleven patients with lung disease. One AIDS patient with M.avium serotype and one with an unknown serotype could not be identified with the Moabs used. One patient with lung disease caused by M. tuberculosis could not be identified as belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex. Moabs are promising for the rapid identification of mycobacteria.