Serodiagnostic value of ELISA in pulmonary tuberculosis in Turkey where tuberculosis is highly prevalent

We studied the diagnostic utility of ELISA in pulmonary tuberculosis (TBC) using serologically active glycolipid antigens. Twenty-seven patients who were smear positive, and 30 patients who were smear negative, but with evidence of active TBC (sputum culture positive in 10, response to anti-TBC chemotherapy in 20) were included in the study group. Twenty cured patients who had been free of TBC for at least 1 year, 50 TBC-free persons with PPD results of 0-10 mm and more than 10 mm, and 21 patients with active inflammatory diseases other than TBC formed the control groups. Sensitivity and specificity were 96 and 91%, respectively. We think that serologically active glycolipid antigens are as sensitive and specific as other purified antigens, and even superior to them from the point of view of their production: their extraction is quicker and easier.