| 摘要 |
A number of protein and glycoprotein antigens secreted by <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> <i>(Mtb</i>) have been identified as "early"<i> Mtb</i> antigens on the basis early antibodies present in subjects infected with<i> Mtb</i> prior to the development of detectable clinical disease. Epitope-bearing peptide fragments of these early <i>Mtb</i> antigens, in particular of an 88 kDa secreted protein, GlcB (SEQ ID NO:106) and of <i>Mtb</i> antigen MPT51 (SEQ ID NO:107) have been identified. These peptides, variants thereof, peptide multimers thereof that include two or more repeats of one or more of the peptides, and fusion polypeptides that include early <i>Mtb</i> antigenic proteins, peptides or both, are useful in immunoassay methods for early, rapid detection of TB in a subject. Preferred immunoassays detect the antibodies in the subject's urine. Also provided are antigenic compositions, kits and methods to useful for detecting an early<i> Mtb</i> antibodies. The antigenic proteins and peptides are also used in vaccine compositions. |
