Polymerase chain reaction amplification of part of the gene coding for the heat shock protein hsp65 followed by restriction enzyme analysis (PRA) is a recently described tool for rapid identification of mycobacteria, because as known, techiniques like biochemical and phenotypic are really time-consuming.

The PRA method was demonstrated by Telenti et al in 1993.(J. CLin. Microbiology. 1993 31: 175-178)

This method is based on the amplification of a 439-bp segment of the 65-kDa heat shock protein (hsp65) and the restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products using (BstEII and HaeIII). The pattern of restriction is compared to a algorithm. The PRA method has proven both efficient and high precision indentification for mycobacteria, in a practical and cost-effective way.