Abstract: The present invention provides a method of specifically detecting the presence of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex, said method comprising detecting ilvC nucleic acid of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex in a sample under conditions that do not detect ilvC nucleic acid of the M. avium complex. The invention also provides methods of diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in a subject employing the specific detection ilvC nucleic acid of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a flow through assay process is disclosed. The method is characterised by a “pre-incubation step” in which the sample which is to be analyzed (typically for the presence of a particular protein), and a detection analyte (typically one or more antibodies bound to colloidal gold or a fluorescent tag) which is known to bind to the particular protein may bind together for a desired period of time. This pre-incubation step occurs before the mixture of sample and detection analyte come into contact with a capture analyte bound to a membrane. The provision of the pre-incubation step has the effect of both improving the sensitivity of the assay and reducing the volume of sample required for an assay. An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed defining a pre-incubation chamber for receiving the sample and detection analyte having a base defined by a membrane and a second membrane to which a capture analyte is bound.