Serological diagnosis of tuberculosis. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Serological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Eur Respir J Suppl. 1995 Sep;20:676s-688s. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96163836
Bothamley GH; Division of Thoracic Medicine, UCL Hospitals, Middlesex Hospital,; London, UK.

Abstract: The past decade has seen dramatic developments in serological tests for tuberculosis. The long history of serological tests for tuberculosis is a testimony to the need for a sensitive diagnostic test, especially when the sputum smear is unhelpful. New reagents, both purified antigens and monoclonal antibodies, provide the means to obtain a sensitivity and specificity to rival the tuberculin skin test and equal other commonly used diagnostic blood tests. Evaluation with sera from patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis has identified one antigen (antigen 5, the 38 kDa antigen) as a potential screening reagent for infectious tuberculosis and another (16 kDa antigen) for monitoring compliance. A monoclonal antibody competition assay anti-38 kDa antibody is the most sensitive serological test for smear-negative tuberculosis so far. Tests for tuberculous meningitis need clinical evaluation. Serological tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related tuberculosis are disappointing. In general, antibody levels in primary tuberculosis are low and appear directed towards cytoplasmic antigens, whilst in post-primary disease antibody levels are higher and appear to bind to secreted antigens. No single reagent gives a 100% sensitivity; future research should identify the best combination of antigens for the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis.
Keywords: Antibodies, Bacterial/*BLOOD Antibodies, Monoclonal/DIAGNOSTIC USE Antigens, Bacterial/*BLOOD AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/*DIAGNOSIS/IMMUNOLOGY/ PREVENTION & CONTROL Epitopes/BLOOD Human Mass Screening Mycobacterium tuberculosis/*IMMUNOLOGY Predictive Value of Tests Tuberculin/BLOOD Tuberculin Test Tuberculosis, Meningeal/*DIAGNOSIS/IMMUNOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/*DIAGNOSIS/IMMUNOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL

KWDantibodies,bacterial/KWDbloodantibodies,monoclonal/diagnosticuseantigens,bacterial/KWDbloodaids-relatedopportunisticinfections/KWDdiagnosis/immunology/prevention&controlepitopes/bloodhumanmassscreeningmycobacteriumtuberculosis/KWDimmunologypredictivevalueofteststuberculin/bloodtuberculintesttuberculosis,meningeal/KWDdiagnosis/immunology/prevention&controltuberculosis,pulmonary/KWDdiagnosis/immunology/prevention&controljournalarticlereviewreview,tutorial
960630
M9660774

Copyright © 1996 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1996. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .