Abstract: A vaccine is provided wherein a polypeptide or combination of peptides from M. tuberculosis is administered to a subject to elicit an immune response. The polypeptide vaccine is administered as part of a prime-boost strategy with BCG vaccine to increase the immunoprotection in a subject such that prevention or elimination of disease is achieved. Finally, a pharmaceutical package is provided that encompasses a polypeptide vaccine for M. tuberculosis that when administered to a subject elicits immunoprotection.

Abstract: A vaccine is provided wherein a polypeptide or combination of peptides from M. tuberculosis is administered to a subject to elicit an immune response. The polypeptide vaccine is administered as part of a prime-boost strategy with BCG vaccine to increase the immunoprotection in a subject such that prevention or elimination of disease is achieved. Finally, a pharmaceutical package is provided that encompasses a polypeptide vaccine for M. tuberculosis that when administered to a subject elicits immunoprotection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid that encodes a hemolysin protein and to a nucleic acid that encodes a positive regulator of hemolysis. The nucleic acid can be the basis of a vaccine against tuberculosis. The nucleic acid can be inserted into an avirulent vaccine strain such as M. bovis BCG.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting or distinguishing the DNA of an individual strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis utilizing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Reproducible, unique patterns can be produced allowing the identification of unknown M. tuberculosis DNA by performing this reaction and comparing the pattern produced to the known reproducible, unique patterns. The invention further provides a kit useful to detect or distinguish the DNA of an individual strain of M. tuberculosis in a sample, comprising specific primers for use in PCR. The present invention also provides a method of determining the presence of a multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis by detecting the presence of a specific arrangement of genomic DNA. Such detection can be done using PCR or a ligase chain reaction (LCR). The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences useful in detecting multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: Antigens, immunogens, inocula, antibodies, receptors, diagnostic methods and systems relating to tuberculosis mycobacteria are disclosed. Each of the compounds, compositions, methods or systems contains about 40 residues, or an antibody containing site that immunoreacts with such a polypeptide. The polypeptide includes the thirteen or fourteen amino acid reside sequence (AlaLysValAsnIleLysProLeuGluAspLysIleCys) or (CysAlaLysValAsnIleLysproLeuGluAspLysIleCys). When linked to a carrier and introduced in an effective amount into a mammalian host, the polypeptide is capable of inducing production of antibodies that immunoreact with an antigen to a tuberculous mycobacterium.

Abstract: Antigens, immunogens, inocula, antibodies, diagnostic methods and systems relating to tuberculous mycobacteria are disclosed. Each of the compounds, compositions, methods or systems contains a synthetic polypeptide having about 13 or 14 to about 40 residues, or an antibody containing site that immunoreacts with such a polypeptide. The polypeptide includes the thirteen or fourteen amino acid reside sequence (AlaLysValAsnIleLysProLeuGluAspLysIleCys) or (CysAlaLysValAsnIleLysProLeuGluAspLysIleCys). When linked to a carrier and introduced in an effective amount into a mammalian host, the polypeptide is capable of inducing production of antibodies that immunoreact with an antigen to a tuberculous mycobacterium.