Tuberculosis diagnostic test
View Patent ↗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 be performed in vivo. Peptides and a kit which enable the method to be carried out are provided.
1. A method of diagnosing infection in a human host by, or exposure of a human host to, a mycobacterium that expresses ESAT-6, which method comprises the steps of:
(i) contacting a population of T cells from the host with a panel of eight peptides represented by SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 8, and
(ii) determining in vitro whether T cells of the T cell population show a recognition response to the panel by detecting IFN-γ secretion from the T cells.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the panel further comprises one or more peptides selected from the group consisting of a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 9; a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 10; and a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 11.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the T cells are freshly isolated.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the T cells are isolated from blood.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the T cell population comprises CD4 and CD8 T cells.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the host is a suspected healthy contact who has been exposed to the mycobacterium.
7. A kit for diagnosing infection in a human host by, or exposure of a human host to, a mycobacterium that expresses ESAT-6, comprising a panel of eight peptides represented by SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 8.
8. The kit of claim 7 , wherein the panel is comprised in a single vial for simultaneous use.
9. The kit of claim 8 , further comprising an apparatus to detect recognition of the panel by a T cell population.
10. The kit of claim 7 , wherein the panel further comprises one or more peptides selected from the group consisting of a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 9; a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 10; and a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 11.
11. A composition comprising a panel of eight peptides represented by SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 8.
12. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the panel further comprises one or more peptides selected from the group consisting of a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 9; a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 10; and a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 11.