Abundant extracellular products and methods for their production and use

An immunodiagnostic agent for use in promoting a detectable immune response in a mammalian host identifying an infectious pathogen from the genus Mycobacterium, said immunodiagnostic agent comprising:

• at least one immunodominant epitope of at least one majorly abundant extracellular product selected from the group consisting of M. tuberculosis 110 KD protein, 80 KD protein, 71 KD protein, 58 KD protein, 45 KD protein, 32A KD protein, 32B KD protein, 30 KD protein, 24 KD protein, 23.5 RD protein, 23 KD protein, 16 KD protein, 14 KD protein, 12 KD protein and respective analogs, homologs, and subunits thereof.

A method of immunizing a mammalian host against an infectious pathogen of the genus Mycobacterium, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one immunodominant epitope of at least one majorly abundant extracellular product selected from the group consisting of M. tuberculosis 110 KD protein, 80 KD protein, 71 KD protein, 58 KD protein, 45 KD protein, 32A KD protein, 32B RD protein, 30 KD protein, 24 KD protein, 23.5 KD protein, 23 KD protein, 16 KD protein, 14 KD protein, 12 KD protein and respective analogs, homologs, and subunits thereof;
• and
• introducing said at least one immunodominant epitope to said mammalian host to induce an effective immune response to subsequent infection by said infectious pathogen.