A simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the identification of cultured mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, the Mycobacterium avium complex, and Mycobacterium kansasii. Six monoclonal antibodies were used: two (F23-49 and F24-2) were specific for the M. tuberculosis complex, two (F85-2 and F85-10) were specific for the identification of the M. avium complex, one (F126-22) was specific for M. kansasii, and one (F141-3) was broadly reactive and distinguished mycobacteria from other bacteria. In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay only 10(6) to 10(7) bacteria derived from early cultures (2 to 3 weeks) were needed for each monoclonal antibody. For the M. tuberculosis complex the sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. For the M. avium complex the specificity was 100% and the sensitivity was 70%. The three M. kansasii strains tested could all be identified as M. kansasii.