Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated microorganism belonging to the genus Mycobacterium, characterized in that it comprises inactivating the gene Rv0757 that confers a PhoP? phenotype and inactivating a second gene that prevents the production of DIM (DIM-phenotype). Additionally, the present invention comprises the use of said microorganism for producing a vaccine for immunizing against or preventing tuberculosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated microorganism belonging to the genus Mycobacterium, characterized in that it comprises inactivating the gene Rv0757 that confers a PhoP? phenotype and inactivating a second gene that prevents the production of DIM (DIM-phenotype). Additionally, the present invention comprises the use of said microorganism for producing a vaccine for immunizing against or preventing tuberculosis.

Abstract: An isolated microorganism belonging to the genus Mycobacterium, having one or both of an inactivated gene Rv0757 that confers a PhoP? phenotype and an inactivated second gene which prevents the production of DIM (DIM? phenotype). Methods of making the microorganism, related pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines are also provided, as are related methods of treatment and vaccination. The pharmaceutical formulation may also serve as a vector or adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated microorganism belonging to the genus Mycobacterium, characterized in that it comprises inactivating the gene Rv0757 that confers a PhoP? phenotype and inactivating a second gene that prevents the production of DIM (DIM? phenotype). Additionally, the present invention comprises the use of said microorganism for producing a vaccine for immunizing against or preventing tuberculosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and kit of diagnosis of Immune Restoration Syndrome associated with tuberculosis (TB-IRS) in patients infected with tuberculosis (TB) as well as in HIV co-infected patients comprising detecting an acute increase in Th1 response following exposure to mycobacterial extract, referred as tuberculin or PPD (Purified Protein Derivative) as well as to the 16 kDa protein, but not to ESAT-6 or CFP-10, two antigens from mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Abstract: Purified antibodies that bind to M. tuberculosis ERP protein are disclosed. In one embodiment, a purified antibody, which binds specifically with a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 39 or SEQ ID NO: 41 is provided. In some embodiments the polypeptide has a theoretical molecular weight of about 28 kDa. In other embodiments the polypeptide has an observed molecular weight of about 36 kDa, as determined by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purified antibody may be a monoclonal or a polyclonal antibody. Further embodiments provide antibodies that does not bind specifically with M. leprae P28 protein. The antibodies of the invention have many uses including the identification of M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: The invention concerns Mycobacterium strains whereof the erp gene is modified and a vaccine composition containing same. The modification of the erp gene decreases the virulence and the persistence of the Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: Antibodies that bind to the M. tuberculosis Des protein are provided.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polynucleotides derived from M. tuberculosis genes imparting resistance to antibiotics and chemically related compounds. This invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides as oligonucleotide primers or probes for detecting M. tuberculosis strains that are resistant to antibiotics and related compounds in a biological sample. Kits containing the primers and probes are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel mycobacterial protein named DES, which appears to share significant amino acid sequence homology with soluble stearoyl-ACP desaturases. The results of allelic exchange experiments, indicate that the des gene may be essential to the survival of mycobacteria. These results coupled with the surface localization, the unique structure of DES, and the fact this antigen is expressed in vivo, and DES protein induces a humoral response in human patients, indicate that the DES protein provides a new target for the design of anti-mycobacterial drugs. This invention provides methods of screening molecules that can inhibit the DES enzyme activity of purified DES protein, in order to identify antibiotic molecules that are capable of inhibiting the growth or survival of mycobacteria.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polynucleotides derived from M. tuberculosis genes imparting resistance to antibiotics and chemically related compounds. This invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides as oligonucleotide primers or probes for detecting M. tuberculosis strains that are resistant to antibiotics and related compounds in a biological sample. Kits containing the primers and probes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns recombinant vectors replicated in mycobacteria, a set of sequences coding for exported polypeptides detected by fusion with alkaline phosphatase, in particular one polypeptide, called DP428, of about 12 kD corresponding to an exported protein found in mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The invention also concerns methods and kits for detecting in vitro the presence of a mycobacterium and in particular a mycobacterium belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in a biological sample using said polypeptides, their fragments or polynucleotides coding for the latter. The invention also concerns immunogenic or vaccine compositions for preventing and/or treating infections caused by mycobacteria and in particular a mycobacterium belonging to said complex, particularly tuberculosis.

Abstract: Purified polynucleotides and polypeptides, and cells of M. smegmatis, M. bovis, M. bovis BCG, or M. africanum are provided.

Abstract: Mycobacterium strains in which the erp gene is modified, and vaccine compositions comprising such Mycobacterium strains are provided. The modification of the erp gene may decrease the virulence and the persistence of the Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: Antibodies that bind to the M. Tuberculosis des gene are provided.

Abstract: The use of genetic methodology based on the fusion of the proteins with the alcaline phosphatase (Lim et al., 1995) has allowed the isolation of a new exported protein of M. tuberculosis. In the present article, first of all the isolation of a gene encoding this exported protein called DES is described as well as its characterization and its distribution among the different mycrobacterial species. It is notably shown that the protein has in its primary sequence amino acids only found at the level of active sites of enzymes of class II diiron-oxo proteins family. Among the proteins of this family, DES protein of M. tuberculosis does not present significative homologies with stearoyl ACP desaturases. Secondly, the antigenic feature of this protein has been studied. For this, DES protein of M. tuberculosis has been overexpressed in E. coli under recombinant and purified protein form from this bacterium. The reactivity of tuberculous patients sera infected by M. tuberculosis or M.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel mycobacterial protein named DES, which appears to share significant amino acid sequence homology with soluble stearoyl-ACP desaturases. The results of allelic exchange experiments, indicate that the des gene may be essential to the survival of mycobacteria. These results coupled with the surface localization, the unique structure of DES, and the fact this antigen is expressed in vivo, and DES protein induces a humoral response in human patients, indicate that the DES protein provides a new target for the design of anti-mycobacterial drugs. This invention provides methods of screening molecules that can inhibit the DES enzyme activity of purified DES protein, in order to identify antibiotic molecules that are capable of inhibiting the growth or survival of mycobacteria.

Abstract: Purified antibodies that bind to M. tuberculosis ERP protein are disclosed. In one a embodiment, a purified antibody, which binds specifically with a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 39 or SEQ ID NO: 41 is provided. In some embodiments the polypeptide has a theoretical molecular weight of about 28 kDa. In other embodiments the polypeptide has an observed molecular weight of about 36 kDa, as determined by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purified antibody may be a monoclonal or a polyclonal antibody. Further embodiments provide antibodies that does not bind specifically with M. teprae P28 protein. The antibodies of the invention have many uses including the identification of M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: The invention concerns Mycobacterium strains whereof the erp gene is modified and a vaccine composition containing same. The modification of the erp gene decreases the virulence and the persistence of the Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel mycobacterial protein named DES, which appears to share significant amino acid sequence homology with soluble stearoyl-ACP desaturases. The results of allelic exchange experiments, indicate that the des gene may be essential to the survival of mycobacteria. These results coupled with the surface localization, the unique structure of DES, and the fact this antigen is expressed in vivo, and DES protein induces a humoral response in human patients, indicate that the DES protein provides a new target for the design of anti-mycobacterial drugs. This invention provides methods of screening molecules that can inhibit the DES enzyme activity of purified DES protein, in order to identify antibiotic molecules that are capable of inhibiting the growth or survival of mycobacteria.