Clinical evaluation of MPT-64 and MPT-59, two proteins secreted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, for skin test reagents.
METHODS
Department of Pulmonary Medicine P, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.


OBJECTIVE
To study the ability of two proteins secreted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, MPT-64 and MPT-59 to induce delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions following intradermal administration.


METHODS
In a small scale clinical investigation, skin reactions to these antigens were compared to reactions to tuberculin PPD RT23 in 1) patients with active tuberculosis, 2) BCG vaccinated healthy subjects with close contact with tuberculous patients, and 3) BCG vaccinated healthy subjects without contact with tuberculous patients. Tests for in vitro reactivity to these antigens were carried out in similar groups.


RESULTS
All subjects gave positive reaction to tuberculin PPD RT23, whereas approximately half of the subjects in each of the three groups reacted to MPT-59. Two subjects (one patient with tuberculosis and one healthy bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccinated subject without patient contact) reacted to MPT-64. The studies of cell proliferation and induction of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) following stimulation with tuberculin PPD and MPT-64 supported this profile of reactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the experimental skin test antigens had properties superior to tuberculin PPD RT23 in humans. The failure of MPT-64 to induce delayed type hypersensitivity reactions in the majority of tuberculosis patients is discussed, in view of the potent reactivity to MPT-64 in tuberculous guinea pigs.
Wilcke
J T
JT
Department P of Pulmonary Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Jensen
B N
BN
Ravn
P
P
Andersen
A B
AB
Hasløv
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007428:Intradermal Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma