Serological markers predicting tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
METHODS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients retrospectively identified at the Hospital of Bari, Italy, with diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) (n = 30) or non-tuberculous pneumonia (n = 29). Serum samples drawn at the time of diagnosis and one year before. Anti-purified protein derivative (PPD) and anti-diacyltrehalose (DAT) serum antibodies quantified by ELISA assay.


OBJECTIVE
Since TB patients with HIV infection may present with elevated serum antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we hypothesized that TB-specific antibody markers might predict TB in these subjects.


METHODS
A retrospective study was designed to assess the presence of M. tuberculosis-specific antibodies in HIV-positive patients developing TB.


RESULTS
Of 30 HIV-positive TB patients, 24 (80%) had anti-PPD or anti-DAT antibodies at the time of TB diagnosis, and 20 (67%) one year before. In a sub-population of 16 of the 30 HIV-positive subjects, positivity for anti-PPD or anti-DAT antibodies one year before TB diagnosis was higher (11/16, 69%) than for the PPD skin test (4/16, 25%, P < 0.01). Antibody tests were specific for TB since positivity rates were lower both in patients with non-tuberculous pneumonia (P < 0.01) and in those with M. avium infection (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Antibody markers may predict TB in HIV-positive subjects, including those with negative PPD skin test.
Amicosante
M
M
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Modena, Italy.
Richeldi
L
L
Monno
L
L
Cuboni
A
A
Tartoni
P L
PL
Angarano
G
G
Orefici
G
G
Saltini
C
C
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D015415:Biomarkers