Human CD8(+) T cells specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis secreted antigens in tuberculosis patients and healthy BCG-vaccinated controls in The Gambia.

Intracellular flow cytometry analysis of perforin production by CD8(+) T cells showed levels were greatly reduced in tuberculosis (TB) patients compared to healthy controls. Reduced cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte activity was also obtained with CD8(+) T cells from TB patients compared to healthy controls in The Gambia. A change in antigen recognition was noted between the two groups of donors: in addition to recognition of Ag85A and Ag85B, as seen in healthy donors, a prominent ESAT-6 response was found in TB patients.