METHODS AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE FOR DIAGNOSIS OF MYCOBACTERIAL INFECTION

摘要

This invention relates to the use of purified single protein antigens as challenge antigens for eliciting a cell mediated immune response as a means of detecting mycobacterial infection in humans or animals. A cell mediated immune response is manifest in the subject as a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin reaction upon introduction by intradermal injection of purified single protein tuberculin antigens. The use of a combination of two or more single protein antigens with different species specificities permits the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis infection from infections due to atypical mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare of Mycobacterium kansasii, and also permits classification of infected subjects as those at low risk for contracting active disease versus those at high risk for contracting active disease.