MTSA-10, the Product of the Rv3874 Gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Elicits Tuberculosis-Specific, Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity in Guinea Pigs

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Abstract
In a search for new skin test reagents specific for tuberculosis, we found that the antigen encoded by gene Rv3874 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis elicited delayed-type hypersensitivity in M. tuberculosis -infected guinea pigs but not in control animals immunized with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or Mycobacterium avium . The antigen, which was named MTSA-10 (for M. tuberculosis -specific antigen 10), is a prime candidate for a component of a new tuberculin that will allow discrimination by a skin test of latent M. tuberculosis infection from vaccination with BCG or from sensitization with environmental, nontuberculous mycobacteria.