RESUMO
To find out specific antigens to M. tuberculosis, the researchers searched for sensitivity, specificity and cross reactions of 6 glycolipid antigens which were extracted and purified from M. tuberculosis with 168 sera by ELISA. The 168 samples were divided into 3 groups: Group I: 62 lung tuberculosis patients with AFB-smear positive; group II: 53 healthy persons and group III: 53 infectious other than tuberculosis patients. There were 6 glycolipid antigens were used in this study, they were Phosphoinositomannoside (P2), 6, 6’-dimycolyltrehalose (cord factor) (DT), Trehalose monomycolate (MT), Phenol glycolipid (PA), Glycolipid (MI) and Glycopeptide (Co). The sensitivity and specificity of DT. MT and PA antigens were 74.2; 66.1; 69, 4% and 83.0; 69.8%; 73.6%, respectively; cross reaction ranging from 22.6% to 39.6%. The sensitivity and specificity of other antigens were lower and its cross reactions were higher than DT, MT and PA antigens. ELISA with specific glycolipid antigens can be used to diagnose extra-lung tuberculosis and lung tuberculosis with AFB(-).