Salivary sIg-A response against the recombinant Ag38 antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Indonesian strain.
An evaluation of the humoral response based on secretory immunoglobulin A levels in the saliva of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) acid-fast bacillus-positive (TB-AFB+) patients against a recombinant 38 kDa antigen (Ag38-rec) is reported. A total of 60 saliva samples consist of 30 TB-AFB+ patients and 30 healthy controls were tested against 500 ng of semi-purified antigen using the dot blot method. Results showed that the protein antigen could differentiate between healthy individuals and TB-AFB(+) patients. Whole saliva demonstrated better reactivity than centrifuged saliva. The Ag38-rec protein indicated statistically comparable sensitivity (80% versus 90%), but lower specificity (36.6% versus 70%) compared with purified protein derivative (PPD). Surprisingly, both antigens similarly recognized secretory immunoglobulin A in the saliva of the healthy group (50% versus 50%, respectively). These findings suggest that the Ag38-rec protein originating from a local strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis may be used for TB screening, however require purity improvement.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University Malang, Indonesia.
Tri Yudani Mardining
TY
Raras
Graduate Program on Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University Malang, Indonesia.
Gamal
G
Sholeh
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University Malang, Indonesia.
Diana
D
Lyrawati
Secretory Ig-A; antigen 38 recombinant; saliva