Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as diagnostic reagents containing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The currently used method for immunological diagnosis of tuberculosis infection, the tuberculin skin test, is problematic for a number of reasons; it has low specificity in BCG vaccinated individuals, a high interobserver variance and requires skill to be read and interpreted. Furthermore it requires an extra visit to the clinic to have the test read. Both people vaccinated with BCG and those exposed to non-tuberculosis mycobacteria give a positive skin test result similar to that seen in a TB infected individual. This also applies for purified protein derivative (PPD) when used in a blood cell based test. The present invention discloses the development of an immunological TB diagnostic tool based on a combination of epitopes from proteins encoded by regions of the M. tuberculosis (M. tub.) genome, that are not present in the BCG vaccine strain or in the most common non-tuberculosis mycobacteria.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as diagnostic reagents containing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as diagnostic reagents containing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The currently used method for immunological diagnosis of tuberculosis infection, the tuberculin skin test, is problematic for a number of reasons; it has low specificity in BCG vaccinated individuals, a high interobserver variance and requires skill to be read and interpreted. Furthermore it requires an extra visit to the clinic to have the test read. Both people vaccinated with BCG and those exposed to non-tuberculosis mycobacteria give a positive skin test result similar to that seen in a TB infected individual. This also applies for purified protein derivative (PPD) when used in a blood cell based test. The present invention discloses the development of an immunological TB diagnostic tool based on a combination of epitopes from proteins encoded by regions of the M. Tuberculosis (M. tub.) genome, that are not present in the BCG vaccine strain or in the most common non-tuberculosis mycobacteria. Four recently characterized proteins with this diagnostic potential were selected.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as diagnostic reagents containing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of M. tuberculosis derived novel proteins and protein fragments (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17-23, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, and 168-171). The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptides. Another part of the invention is based on the surprising discovery that fusions between ESAT-6 and MPT59 are superior immunogens compared to each of the unfused proteins, respectively.

Abstract: Specific genetic deletion are identified in mycobacteria isolates, including variations in the M. tuberculosis genome sequence between isolates, and numerous deletion present in BCG as compared to M. tbThe genetic markers can be used for diagnosis of M. tb. infection. One or more antigens provided from the genetic markers can be used in diagnostic assays, e.g. a serological assay.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of M. tuberculosis derived novel proteins and protein fragments (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17-23, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, and 168-171). The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptides. Another part of the invention is based on the surprising discovery that fusions between ESAT-6 and MPT59 are superior immunogens compared to each of the unfused proteins, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as diagnostic reagents containing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of M. tuberculosis derived novel proteins and protein fragments (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17-23, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, and 168-171). The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptides. Another part of the invention is based on the surprising discovery that fusions between ESAT-6 and MPT59 are superior immunogens compared to each of the unfused proteins, respectively.