Abstract
Background: Recently, a selection of HLA class II-restricted epitopes of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins from the region of difference (RD) 1 have been described. We have evaluated the host interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) T cell response to these RD1 selected peptides at the beginning and during anti-tuberculosis therapy. Methods: We studied 29 pulmonary TB patients enrolled at the beginning of treatment and 24 enrolled during treatment. We performed T-SPOT.TB and ELISPOT with RD1 selected peptides. Results: Patients included at the beginning of treatment responded producing IFN-γ after antigen stimulation in 89.7% by means of T-SPOT.TB and 79.3% by means of RD1 selected ELISPOT. In contrast, for patients included during treatment the percentages were 87.5% and 25%, respectively. Differences in sensitivities between patients evaluated at the beginning and during treatment were only significant for RD1 selected ELISPOT (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The host immune response to RD1 selected peptides is lower than to T-SPOT.TB during therapy. Immunological assays based on RD1 selected peptides may be useful tools for studying the immune response during anti-tuberculosis therapy. © 2012 Informa Healthcare.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 161-167 |
Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2012 |
Keywords
- IFN-γ assays
- Immune response
- Monitoring anti-TB treatment
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- RD1 selected peptides