Method for identifying a mycobacterium species

The present application claims the benefit of International patent application serial number PCT/NL98/00701 filed Dec. 8, 1998, which in turn is based on the European patent application serial number EP 97203851.7 filed Dec. 8, 1997. The invention relates to a method for identifying a Mycobacterium species comprising the steps of:a) contacting at least one immuno-cross reactive antigen component of a mycobacterial species with a sample of a body fluid of a human or animal individual;b) contacting at least one antibody, which is capable of reacting with a mycobacterial antigen, with said body fluid sample;c) detecting the presence of antigen-antibody complexes, and identifying the Mycobacterium species present in said body fluid sample.