IFN-γ independent markers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure among male South African gold miners.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prevalence of tuberculosis among men who work in the gold mines of South Africa is among the highest in the world, but a fraction of miners demonstrate consistently negative results upon tuberculin skin test (TST) and IFN-γ release assay (IGRA). We hypothesized that these "resisters" (RSTRs) may display unconventional immune signatures of exposure to M. tuberculosis (M.tb).

Methods

In a cohort of RSTRs and matched controls with latent TB infection (LTBI), we profiled the functional breadth of M.tb antigen-specific T cell and antibody responses using multi-parameter flow cytometry and systems serology, respectively.

Findings

RSTRs and LTBI controls both exhibited IFN-γ independent T-cell and IgG antibody responses to M.tb-specific antigens ESAT-6 and CFP

SUBMITTER: Davies LRL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10320233 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature