Abstract: There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF-? without secreting IFN-?; or (b) secrete IFN-? without secreting TNF-?; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis versus tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: There are provided methods of determining the latent tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing, the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and secrete IFN-? in response to TB antigens; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also HLA-DR positive; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of cells calculated in (v) correlates to latent TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF-? without secreting IFN-?; or (b) secrete IFN-? without secreting TNF-?; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF-? without secreting IFN-?; or (b) secrete IFN-? without secreting TNF-?; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: There is provided methods for diagnosing active tuberculosis (ATB), or for determining the risk of a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) progressing to ATB, in an individual comprising or consisting of the steps of: a) providing a sample to be tested from the individual; b) measuring the expression in the test sample of GBP6 and/or BATF2; wherein the expression in the test sample of GBP6 and/or BATF2 is indicative of the presence of active tuberculosis (ATB) in the individual, and/or wherein the expression in the test sample of GBP6 and/or BATF2 is proportional to the risk of a latent TB infection progressing to an active TB infection in the individual. There are also provided binding agents and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF-? without secreting IFN-?; or (b) secrete IFN-? without secreting TNF-?; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF-? without secreting IFN-?; or (b) secrete IFN-? without secreting TNF-?; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: There is provided methods of determining tuberculosis (TB) infection status in an individual comprising: (i) providing a sample comprising T-cells; (ii) exposing the sample of (i) to one or more TB antigens; (iii) identifying T-cells in the sample that are CD4 positive and (a) secrete TNF-? without secreting IFN-?; or (b) secrete IFN-? without secreting TNF-?; (iv) identifying those cells of (iii) which are also CCR7 and, CD127 negative; and optionally (v) calculating the cells identified in (iv) as a percentage of those identified in (iii); wherein the identification of cells in (iv) and/or the percentage of T-cells calculated in (v) correlates to TB infection status of the individual, and wherein steps (iii) and (iv) can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. There are also provided compositions and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a human, or of determining whether a human has been exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, comprising (i) contacting T-cells from said human with one or more of (a) a peptide having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 20, (b) a peptide having or comprising the sequence of at least 8 consecutive amino acids of the sequence shown in SEQ. ID NO 20; or (c) a peptide having or comprising a sequence which is capable of binding to a T-cell receptor which recognizes a peptide as defined in (a) or (b); and (ii) determining whether any of the said T-cells recognize said peptide, wherein steps (i) and (ii) are optionally carried out in vitro. The peptide is the product of the RV3615c gene.

Abstract: A method of assaying for peptide-specific T-cells comprises adding peptide to a fluid sample of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and detecting a cytokine such as interferon-y produced by T-cells that have been pre-sensitized to the peptide. The assay method is quick and cheap and is expected to be useful for the study of various disease states including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and influenza.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing in a host infection by or exposure to a mycobacterium which expresses ESAT-6 comprising (i) contacting a population of T cells from the host with one or more peptides or analogues selected from the peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:1 to 11 and analogues thereof which can bind a T cell receptor which recognises any of the said peptides, and (ii) determining whether the T cells of said T cell population recognise the peptide(s) and/or analogue(s). The method may performed in vivo. Peptides and a kit which enable the method to be carried out are provided.

Abstract: A synergistic composition, or the use of that composition in the manufacture of a medicament, or a method of treatment including the use of that composition, for the treatment of hair loss and baldness, for combined, sequential or simultaneous administration, in any form, via any biological route. In its optimal embodiment the composition consists, in the form of a lotion: 1600-2400 IU/mL Vitamin A Palmitate, 0.64%-0.96% Thiamine Hydrochloride, 0.64%-0.96% Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, 4.8%-7.2% Niacinamide, 2.85%-5.2% D-Panthenol, 1.6%-2.4% L-Arginine, 3.6%-4.4% Methyl Sulphonyl Methane (MSM), 0.08%-0.12% Ginger Oil, 0.08%-0.12% Cinnamon Oil, 0.0996%-0.1494% Oleoresin Capsicum, 1.3%-1.95% Magnesium, 2.4%-3.6% Zinc, 0.192%-0.288% Manganese, 2.6%-3.9% Urea, 2.4%-3.6% Sodium Glycerophosphate, 4.8%-7.2% L-Lysine HCl, plus Preservatives, Co-solvent (Propylene Glycol), Fragrances, Anti-Oxidant, Cooling agent (Menthol), Emulsifier, and Vehicle (Purified water).

Abstract: A method of assessing an intracellular pathogen infection and/or monitoring an intracellular pathogen infection in an individual comprises determining whether the individual has (a) T-cells that secrete IFN-? only, (b) T-cells that secrete IL-2 only or (c) T-cells that secrete both IFN-? and IL-2 in response to an intracellular pathogen antigen and optionally determining any change in this cytokine profile.

Abstract: A method of assaying for peptide-specific T-cells comprises adding peptide to a fluid sample of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and detecting a cytokine such as interferon-y produced by T-cells that have been pre-sensitised to the peptide. The assay method is quick and cheap and is expected to be useful for the study of various disease states including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and influenza.

Abstract: A method of assaying for peptide-specific T-cells comprises adding peptide to a fluid sample of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and detecting a cytokine such as interferon-? produced by T-cells that have been pre-sensitized to the peptide. The assay method is quick and cheap and is expected to be useful for the study of various disease states including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and influenza.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing in a host infection by or exposure to a mycobacterium which expresses ESAT-6 comprising (i) contacting a population of T cells from the host with one or more peptides or analogues selected from the peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:1 to 11 and analogues thereof which can bind a T cell receptor which recognises any of the said peptides, and (ii) determining whether the T cells of said T cell population recognise the peptide(s) and/or analogue(s). The method may performed in vivo. Peptides and a kit which enable the method to be carried out are provided.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing in a host infection by or exposure to a mycobacterium which expresses ESAT-6 comprising (i) contacting a population of T cells from the host with one or more peptides or analogues selected from the peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:1 to 11 and analogues thereof which can bind a T cell receptor which recognises any of the said peptides, and (ii) determining whether the T cells of said T cell population recognise the peptide(s) and/or analogue(s). The method may performed in vivo. Peptides and a kit which enable the method to be carried out are provided.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing in a host infection by or exposure to a mycobacterium which expresses ESAT-6 comprising (i) contacting a population of T cells from the host with one or more peptides or analogues selected from the peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:1 to 11 and analogues thereof which can bind a T cell receptor which recognises any of the said peptides, and (ii) determining whether the T cells of said T cell population recognise the peptide(s) and/or analogue(s). The method may performed in vivo. Peptides and a kit which enable the method to be carried out are provided.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing in a host infection by or exposure to a mycobacterium which expresses ESAT-6 comprising (i) contacting a population of T cells from the host with one or more peptides or analogues selected from the peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:1 to 11 and analogues thereof which can bind a T cell receptor which recognizes any of the said peptides, and (ii) determining whether the T cells of said T cell population recognize the peptide(s) and/or analogue(s). The method may performed in vivo. Peptides and a kit which enable the method to be carried out are provided.