Bacterial-derived molecules and therapeutic and diagnostic uses therefor

摘要

The present invention relates generally to molecules derived from a Mycobacterium species and recombinant, synthetic, derivative, homologue and analogue forms of said molecules. The molecules of the present invention are useful in diagnostic assays for Mycobacterium in biological and environmental samples. The present invention is particularly directed to molecules derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related organisms and even more particularly to recombinant forms of these molecules or synthetic, derivative, homologue or analogue forms thereof and their use in diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for tuberculosis or other disease conditions associated with M. tuberculosis or related organisms.