Use of amino acid sequences from Mycobacterium tuberculosis or corresponding nucleic acids for diagnosis and prevention of tubercular infection, diagnostic kit and vaccine therefrom

A method for detecting a Mycobacterium species infection in a test subject, comprising:

• (a) incubating in vitro a blood sample or a lavage sample that comprises lymphocytes from the test subject with at least one isolated protein or peptide that comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 43, 44, 45, 46, or 47,
• wherein said step of incubating is for a time and under conditions sufficient to stimulate the lymphocytes to produce an effector molecule;
• and
• (b) detecting a test level of the effector molecule, wherein detection of a test level that is higher than a control level that is detected following incubation of control lymphocytes from a healthy control subject, indicates that the test subject is infected with, or has been previously exposed to, the Mycobacterium species.