[A chromatographic analysis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from an outbreak in HIV patients in Cuba].

A group of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from an outbreak in HIV-infected patients was studied by chromatographic techniques. A group of strains of M. Tuberculosis from symptomatic respiratory patients (SR+ 14) and patterns strains from the laboratory collection were used as a reference aimed at making a qualitative comparison of the chromatographic patterns described by the strains isolated from patients. The chromatographic profiles of the strains isolated from patients (SR+) and fro HIV+ were obtained and compared by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Each of the present fatty acids was identified by using the gas chromatography technique (GC) coupled to mass spectrum analysis. All the studied strains were classified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. According to the results attained, the usefulness of the chromatographic techniques as alternative techniques for the mycobacterial diagnosis is demonstrated.