In 1991, the Laboratory of Mycobacteria was a small laboratory, part of the Clinical Biology Centre (CBC) of the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar: 656 pathological samples have been analysed for the account of the CBC and the National Control Programme activities. Within 4 years, the number of samples tested increased by more than threefold and the technical ability has evolved in an important way, specially for the identification and the antibiotic sensitivity testing. The scientific equipment have been modernized and the rooms surface increased by fourfold. In 1995, this laboratory was officially designated as the National Reference Laboratory for the culture, the identification and antibiogramme for the account of the National Control programme and for the private clinicians. It also participates to the tuberculosis research programmes of Institut Pasteur de Madagascar. It is associated to the Laboratory of Mycobacteria in the Institut d'Hygiène Sociale of Antananarivo which is the National Reference Laboratory for the bacilloscopy, the teaching and the supervision of the peripheral laboratories.