Evaluation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 6 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Alamelu Raja; Narayanan, P.R.; Jawahar, M.S.; Prabhakar, R.
Indian Journal of Tuberculosis; 1994; 41; 245-251.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen 6, which is a 30 KDa protein purified by DEAE-Cellulose chromatography, was evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for its sensitivity and specificity for antibody detection in sera from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) was used for comparison. Antigen 6 could detect 89% of bacteriologically confirmed cases and 32% of bacteriologically negative cases. However, 25% of the healthy volunteers also had positive antibody levels. Among the treated, inactive cases of tuberculosis 44% had higher antibodies. Thus, because of the low specificity and persisting antibody titres, Antigen 6 cannot be used in diagnostic or prognostic tests.
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