Use of Antibodies in Lymphocyte Secretions for Detection of Subclinical Tuberculosis Infection in Asymptomatic Contacts |
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| Authors: | Rubhana Raqib S M Mostafa Kamal M Jubayer Rahman Zeaur Rahim Sayera Banu Pradip K Bardhan Fahima Chowdhury Gul Ara K Zaman Robert F Breiman Jan Andersson and David A Sack |
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| Affiliation: | Rubhana Raqib, S. M. Mostafa Kamal, M. Jubayer Rahman, Zeaur Rahim, Sayera Banu, Pradip K. Bardhan, Fahima Chowdhury, Gul Ara, K. Zaman1, Robert F. Breiman, Jan Andersson, and David A. Sack |
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| Abstract: | We have previously demonstrated that Mycobacterium bovis BCG-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in lymphocyte secretions (ALS) can be employed as a marker for active tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to determine whether the ALS method allows detection of subclinical TB infection in asymptomatic individuals. A prospective study of family contacts (FCs) of patients with active TB and healthy controls was performed. Thirteen of 42 FCs had high ALS responses, including 6 FCs who subsequently developed active TB. No correlation was observed between the tuberculin skin test and the ALS responses in the FCs (r = 0.1, P = 0.23). Among patients with active TB, BCG-specific ALS responses steadily declined from the time of diagnosis through 6 months following antimycobacterial chemotherapy (P = 0.001). The ALS assay enabled detection of infection in exposed symptom-free contacts, who are at greater risk for developing active TB. The method may also allow discrimination between effective treatment of active infection and suboptimal response to therapy. |
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