title: [Antigenic response against PPD and antigen 60 in tubercular patients: single antigen versus the combined test].
abstract: We analyze serum samples from 70 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 50 healthy individuals. The antigenic activity (IgG) against protein purified antigen (PPD) and antigen 60 (A60) from M. tuberculosis. Thirteen patients were also HIV infected, and three patients had AIDS defined by the presence of disseminated tuberculosis. The test using antigen alone showed a 77% sensitivity and 74% specificity when PPD is used. When A60 was used, both values improved (81% sensitivity, 94% specificity). The use of a combined test (PPD and A60) improves the sensitivity (89%) but reduces the specificity (82%). The HIV infected patients showed similar responses to those of other patients. The combined use of different antigens might be useful for diagnosing tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Máttar
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Broquetas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gea
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Aran
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: el-Banna
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sauleda
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Torres
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014373:Tuberculin; C055539:mycobacterial A60 antigen