Recombinant antigen production for assays of intradermoreaction for diagnosis and surveillance of tuberculosis.

The goal of the present work was to develop reagents with potential for tuberculosis diagnosis. Genetic sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis secretion antigens were amplified by PCR, cloned into the Gateway(®) system, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant M. tuberculosis proteins were purified by metal affinity chromatography and preparative gel SDS-PAGE electrophoresis followed by electroelution and removal of endotoxins using Triton X-114. In total, seven recombinant proteins were obtained (ESAT-6, CFP10, TB10.3, TB10.4, MTSP11, MPT70, and MPT83). Delayed hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) was evaluated in Cavia porcellus and compared to the response using a standard purified protein derivative (PPD). All seven recombinant proteins produced a positive induration reaction in an intradermal test in guinea pigs previously sensitized with M. tuberculosis. When applied together, at a concentration of each recombinant protein 0.04 mg/mL, the intradermoreaction in C. porcellus was significantly higher than that obtained by standard PPD (p-value=0.00386).