[Identification of mycobacteria in sputum by determining antigens in the culture medium]

Antigens to M. tuberculosis in culture fluid of sputum samples were compared to bacterioscopy and inoculation results for 64 new-onset cases of tuberculosis and 60 chronics with bronchitis. The authors used diagnostic preparations of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to M. tuberculosis. The use of the above preparations in the enzyme immunoassay reduced the time of M. tuberculosis detection in the patients' sputum and increased the frequency of the bacteria registration against standard methods of bacterioscopy and inoculation.