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IFN ‐γ against the 38‐ kD a antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis discriminates pulmonary tuberculosis from infection and infection from exposure: evidence from a study of human population in a high endemic setting
Author(s) -
Abebe Fekadu,
Belay Mulugeta,
Legesse Mengistu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/apm.12793
Subject(s) - tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , immunology , antigen , medicine , immune system , cytokine , population , tuberculosis diagnosis , tumor necrosis factor alpha , interferon gamma , pathology , environmental health
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) 38‐ kD a antigen is an immunogenic lipoprotein that induces strong T‐cell responses in experimental animals. However, there is limited information on the role of this antigen in human population. In this article, we present the dynamics of pro‐inflammatory ( IFN ‐γ and TNF ‐α) and anti‐inflammatory cytokine ( IL ‐10) against the 38 kD a in cohorts of pulmonary TB ( PTB ) patients, household contacts ( HHC s), and community controls ( CC s) in a high endemic setting. Whole blood assay was used to determine the levels of cytokines in 149 patients, 149 HHC s, and 68 CC s at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. At baseline, the level of IFN ‐γ was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in CC s and HHC s than in untreated patients. CC s had significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of IFN ‐γ than HHC s. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated patients, and there was no significant change in HHC s over 12 months. At baseline, the levels of IL ‐10 and TNF ‐α were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in patients than in HHC s and CC s. No significant change was observed between treated patients and untreated patients and HHC s over time. The study shows that IFN ‐γ against the 38 kD a discriminates clinical TB from infection and infection from exposure, suggesting its potential for immune protection and diagnosis.