Rapid and simple detection of a mycobacterium circulating antigen in serum of pulmonary tuberculosis patients by using a monoclonal antibody and Fast-Dot-ELISA.

Objectives: Several immunoassays have been established for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) antigens in serum, sputum and cerebrospinal fluid of tuberculous patients using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies raised against different mycobacterium antigens. Some of these assays display both high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of these antigens. However, these assays require special and highly expensive equipment and the procedures require long periods for their completion.