[ELISPOT response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens for diagnosing and monitoring tuberculosis patient therapy].
BACKGROUND
Using the ELISPOT assay, a promising immunological tool for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) antigen-specific response, we monitored the clinical course of patients with tuberculosis (TB).


METHODS
Blood samples were obtained from 35 patients with TB and healthy controls, numbering 52 age-matched control subjects and 43 university students. Nine of those with TB were examined twice before and after anti-tuberculosis treatment. The frequency of IFN-gamma secreting cells was determined using the ELISPOT assay in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with purified protein derivative (PPD), early secretory antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6), and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10).


RESULTS
The frequency of PPD secreting cells correlated significantly with tuberculin skin test (TST) magnitude in BCG-vaccinated individuals. Significant responses to either ESAT-6 or CFP-10 were found in 94% of those with TB. The frequency of IFN-gamma secreting cells decreased when negative sputum tests were confirmed by successful tuberculosis treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The ELISPOT assay detecting MTB-specific immune response is promising both in diagnosing MTB and monitoring responsiveness to tuberculosis therapy.
Murakami
Shuji
S
Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine.
Takeno
Mitsuhiro
M
Kobayashi
Masayoshi
M
Kudo
Makoto
M
Watanuki
Yuji
Y
Kaneko
Takeshi
T
Ishigatsubo
Yoshiaki
Y
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; C072681:Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens