Application of transdermal patches with new skin test reagents for detection of latent tuberculosis.

Current intradermal tuberculin skin tests for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) based on purified protein derivative (PPD) have poor specificity. Developing a better skin test antigen as well as a simple skin patch test may improve and facilitate diagnostic performance. Defined recombinant antigens that were unique to (MTB), including two potential latency-associated antigens (ESAT-6 and Rv2653c) and five DosR-encoded latency proteins (Rv1996, Rv2031c, Rv2032, DevR and Rv3716c), were used as diagnostic skin test reagents in comparison with a standard PPD.