Broad adaptive immune responses to M. tuberculosis antigens precede TST conversion in tuberculosis exposed household contacts in a TB-endemic setting.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The identification of Mycobacterium-tuberculosis (Mtb) infected individuals remains a challenge due to an insufficient understanding of immune responses detected with the current diagnostic tests for latent tuberculosis i.e. the tuberculin skin test (TST) or IFN-γ release assays (IGRAs) and an inability to distinguish infection stages with current immunologic assays. Further classification based on markers other than IFN-γ may help to define markers of early Mtb infection.

Methods

We assessed the TST status of Mtb-exposed household contacts at baseline and at 6 months. Contacts were classified into those with initial positive TST (TST+); those with baseline negative TST but TST conversion at 6 months (TST converters, TSTC) and those with persistently negative TST

SUBMITTER: Buchwald UK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4280211 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature