On which basis are the species of Mycobacteria grouped in complexes?

The Mycobacterium complexes are defined on the basis of their homology in the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence. The artus^® Mycobac. diff. LC PCR Kit allows the discrimination of two Mycobacterium complexes; M. tuberculosis complex and M. avium complex. In addition, M. intracellulare species – which are members of the M. avium complex – can be discriminated.