[Isolation and analysis of lipid antigen from M. tuberculosis cell walls]

A method has been developed for isolation of an antigen based on nonpolar lipids from M. tuberculosis cell walls, its specific and nonspecific fractions separated, and composition determined by thin-layer chromatography. Ninety-two blood sera of tuberculous patients and 50 ones from healthy donors were examined in enzyme immunoassay with this antigen. Use of this antigen in serologic tests helped detect in patients' sera antibodies to mycobacterial lipids.