Objective: To detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis RD1-encoded antigens-specific, interferon-gamma (INF-gamma)-secreting T cells in pleural effusions, ascites, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Method: The early secretory antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP-10) peptides-specific T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (MC), ascites MC, pleural effusions MC, and cerebrospinal fluid MC were detected using enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) for INF-gamma.
Results: ESAT-6 or CFP-10 peptides-specific, INF-gamma-secreting T cells were detected in peripheral blood, ascites, pleural effusions, and cerebrospinal fluid, which marked the presence of tuberculosis infection. Patients with positive ELISPOT results of INF-gamma-release assay were all diagnosed as active tuberculosis. Spot forming cells in ascites and pleural effusions were much higher than those in peripheral blood (up to 6.4 and 31.9 times).
Conclusion: Detection of RD1-encoded antigens-specific, INF-gamma-secreting T cells in pleural effusions, ascites, and cerebrospinal fluid provides a new way to diagnose tuberculosis infection.