[Usefulness of measuring serum IGG antibodies against A60 mycobacterial antigen for diagnosis of tuberculosis].

Measurement of antimycobacterial antibody may be used as potential diagnostic tool in tuberculosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum IgG level against A60 mycobacterial antigen measured by ELISA method. Material consisted of 144 persons divided into 5 groups (76 tuberculosis patients, 20 sarcoidosis patients, 17 lung cancer patients, 8 patients with mycobacterial infections other than tuberculosis and 23 healthy controls). In the tuberculosis group there were 50 culture positive cases and 26 culture negative ones, 43 new cases and 32 chronic cases. Positive results were obtained in 51% of tuberculosis patients. Sensitivity increased to 62% in culture positive group and 63% in chronic cases. Specificity of the test was 96%. The results indicate that Immunozyme Mycobacterium test is a valuable tool in tuberculosis diagnosis.