Abstract
Setting: A rapid membrane-based antibody assay capable of diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis within 15 min has been developed using the 38 kDa antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Objective: To determine the specificity and sensitivity of this assay and evaluate its usefulness in a clinical setting. Design: Sera from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis were obtained from three hospitals in China. The control groups consisted of patients who were diagnosed with lung diseases other than tuberculosis and healthy subjects. Results: Antibody was detected in 54 of 61 (89%) sputum positive patients and 67 of 91 (74%) sputum negative patients who had been clinically diagnosed as having active pulmonary tuberculosis. Five out of 56 (9%) patients with respiratory diseases other than tuberculosis and 1 out of 30 (3%) healthy controls had a positive antibody response. The overall specificity of the assay was 93% and the positive predictive value was 95%. We conclude that this assay is rapid, sensitive and specific and will be a valuable aid in the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.
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