Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial species belonging to the genus Mycobacterium, and is the causative agent of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is a multifaceted disease and challenging public health problem in both industrialized and developing countries. According to the WHO, 8.8 million active cases of TB are diagnosed each year and of these, almost 2 million die. Once thought to be under control or even close to extinction, TB infection levels are rising and the threat is compounded by new, virulent and drug-resistant strains. Although most cases occur in the developing world (22 countries accounting for 80% of all global cases), increasing population mobility combined with facility of transmission means that no country is immune from the resurgence of TB. TB control programs are currently facing a number of constraints. Worldwide, fewer than 25% of all tuberculosis cases are detected. Of utmost concern is the absence of a timely and accurate test for the diagnosis of mycobacterial disease. Early diagnosis is crucial for the prevention of further spread of the disease.