Analysis of tuberculous meningitis cases by an immunoblotting assay based on a mycobacterial antigen complex.
Tuberculous meningitis cases were analyzed by an immunoblotting test based on Mycobacterium bovis BCG antigen complex A60. Anti-A60 immunoglobulin G (IgG) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) allowed early diagnosis, and concentrations decreased after recovery. In primary meningitis forms, anti-A60 IgGs were intrathecally synthesized and specific oligoclonal IgGs were present in CSF. In meningeal complications of pulmonary tuberculosis, there were matching titers of anti-A60 IgG in blood and CSF (mirror pattern). Correlation between CSF-restricted patterns and CSF pleocytosis was shown.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology*; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; C055539:mycobacterial A60 antigen