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 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: 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 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: 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: Recombinant screening, cloning and/or expression vector characterized in that it replicates in mycobacteria and contains: 1) a mycobacteria functional replicon, 2) a selection marker, 3) a reporter cassette comprising: a) a multiple cloning site (polylinker), b) a transcription terminator which is active in mycobacteria and is located upstream of the polylinker, and c) a coding nucleotide sequence derived from a gene coding for an expression, export and/or secretion protein marker, the nucleotide sequence being deprived of its initiation codon and its regulating sequences. This vector is used for identification and expression of exporter polypeptides, such as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis P28 antigen.

Abstract: Recombinant screening, cloning and/or expression vector characterized in that it replicates in mycobacteria and contains 1) a mycobacteria functional replicon; 2) a selection marker, 3) a reporter cassette comprising a) a multiple cloning site (polylinker) b) a transcription terminator which is active in mycobacteria and is located upstream of the polylinker, and c) a coding nucleotide sequence derived from a gene coding for an expression, export and/or secretion protein marker, the nucleotide sequence being deprived of its initiation codon and its regulating sequences. This vector is used for identification and expression of exporter polypeptides, such as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis P28 antigen.