Diagnostic assay for measuring a cell mediated immune response

A method of treatment of a subject having a pathogenic infection, an autoimmune disorder or cancer or a propensity for developing such a disorder, said method comprising assessing the ability for said subject to mount a cell mediated immune response by the method of measuring a CMI response in a subject, said method of measuring comprising,

• collecting a whole blood sample from said subject wherein said whole blood sample comprises cells of the immune system which are capable of producing immune effector molecules following stimulation by an antigen,
• incubating a mixture comprising the whole blood sample, antigen and an amount of an isolated simple sugar effective to enhance the stimulation by the antigen, and optionally heparin, and
• measuring the presence of or elevation in the level of an immune effector molecule wherein the presence or level of said immune effector molecule is indicative of the capacity of said subject to mount a cell-mediated immune response and
• selecting a suitable therapeutic protocol.