Diagnose of Mycobacterial Infections by Determination of IFN-Gamma
AssigneeThe Pirbright Institute
InventorsJayne Hope, Paul Sopp, Chris Howard
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a mycobacterial infection in a subject, involving the following steps: (i) collection of a sample from the subject; (ii) incubation of the sample from (i) with an antigen preparation for 12 hours or less; and (iii) analysis of γ-IFN in the sample from (ii). The invention also provides a diagnostic kit for use in such a method.
Claims21
A method for diagnosing a mycobacterial infection in a subject, which comprises the following steps:
- (i) collection of a sample from the subject;
- (ii) incubation of the sample from (i) with an antigen preparation for 10 hours or less;
- and
- (iii) analysis of γ-IFN in the sample from (ii).
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein in step (ii), the incubation time is between 2 and 8 hours.
A method according to any proceeding claim, wherein step (iii), γ-IFN in the sample is analysed by a rapid test system.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein in step (iii), γ-IFN in the sample is quantitated or compared using an electronic readout system.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the subject is selected from the following group:
- cow, badger, human, horse, sheep, pig or goat.
A method according to any preceding claim which is used to distinguish between anti-TB vaccinated and TB-infected subjects.
A one-day kit for diagnosis of mycobacterial infection in a subject which comprises the following:
- (i) an incubation tube containing an antigen-preparation;
- and
- (ii) a test for analysis of the amount of γ-IFN in a sample post-incubation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.