[Tuberculosis serodiagnosis, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and different mycobacterial antigens]

IgG antibody titer levels against two different antigens of M tuberculosis were investigated in the sera of 40 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 16 with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and 24 healthy controls by using ELISA technique. While a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 88% were determined for MSO (mycobacterial sonicate antigen) antigen, a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity 73% were determined for the other PPD (Purified protein derivative) antigen. ELISA, for serodiagnosis of tuberculosis was compared in terms of sensitivity for AFB (acid fast bacilli stain) and culture methods. In this study, the sensitivity of ELISA was found as 92% for MSO antigen and 79% for PPD antigen while it was 58% for AFB method and 95% for the culture method.