Mycobacterium antigens and methods for their detection

摘要

Serum from patients with active tuberculosis has been found to contain antibodies specific for two mycobacterial antigens, the significance of which is reported herein for the first time. The titer of these antibodies changes in patients whose disease is no longer active. This invention provides assays for detection of active tuberculosis, based on determination of antibodies specific for these antigens in patient samples.