Methods for detecting a mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

A method of detecting an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a subject, comprising;

• administering intradermally to the subject an effective amount of a Mycobacterium polypeptide, wherein the amino acid sequence of the Mycobacterium polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 2, SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 3, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 10, SEQ ID NO:
• 11, SEQ ID NO:
• 12, SEQ ID NO:
• 13, SEQ ID NO:
• 14, SEQ ID NO:
• 15, SEQ ID NO:
• 16, and at least nine to twenty consecutive amino acids thereof, wherein the nine to twenty consecutive amino acids specifically bind major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I;
• after more than 48 hours following intradermal administration, measuring induration, swelling, redness or dermatitis of the skin at the site of the intradermal administration, and
• detecting a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction of greater than 0.5 cm in diameter in the skin of the subject.

A method for detecting a likelihood that a subject has an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, comprising

• contacting a biological sample from the subject comprising T cells ex vivo with one or more Mycobacterium polypeptides, and an antigen presenting cell presenting the one or more Mycobacterium polypeptides, wherein the amino acid sequence of the one or more Mycobacterium polypeptides is selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 2, amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO:
• 2, amino acids 141-149 of SEQ ID NO:
• 2, SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 3, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 10, SEQ ID NO:
• 11, SEQ ID NO:
• 12, SEQ ID NO:
• 13, SEQ ID NO:
• 14, SEQ ID NO:
• 15, SEQ ID NO:
• 16, and at least nine to twenty consecutive amino acids thereof, wherein the nine to twenty consecutive amino acids specifically bind major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I;
• and
• contacting the sample with a capture monoclonal antibody that specifically binds interferon γ, wherein the capture monoclonal antibody is immobilized on a solid support, to form a complex;
• and
• contacting the sample with an additional labeled antibody that specifically binds interferon γ to detect the presence of the complex, wherein the presence of the labeled antibody bound to the complex indicates the presence of T cells that specifically recognize one of the Mycobacterium polypeptides and indicates the likelihood that the subject has an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.