MTSA-10, the product of the Rv3874 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, elicits tuberculosis-specific, delayed-type hypersensitivity in guinea pigs

Infect Immun. 2000 Feb;68(2):990-3. doi: 10.1128/IAI.68.2.990-993.2000.

Abstract

In a search for new skin test reagents specific for tuberculosis, we found that the antigen encoded by gene Rv3874 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis elicited delayed-type hypersensitivity in M. tuberculosis-infected guinea pigs but not in control animals immunized with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or Mycobacterium avium. The antigen, which was named MTSA-10 (for M. tuberculosis-specific antigen 10), is a prime candidate for a component of a new tuberculin that will allow discrimination by a skin test of latent M. tuberculosis infection from vaccination with BCG or from sensitization with environmental, nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • BCG Vaccine / immunology
  • Female
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / etiology*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / genetics
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Tuberculin Test

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • BCG Vaccine