CIRCULATING ANTIBODY RESPONSE IN BCG VACCINATION TUBERCULOUS INFECTION AND SARCOIDOSIS

  • 1 January 1967
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 96  (10) , 585-+
Abstract
The bentonite flocculation test was used to differentiate antibodies formed by BCG vaccination from those produced by infections with virulent tubercle bacilli. Of 116 BCG-vaccinated nurses, only 2 (1. 7 percent) showed antibody titers higher (1:128) than the threshold titer of 1:64 established for tuberculous patients. The bentonite test was also used to follow the course of infection in 54 patients with tuberculosis. A good correlation was found between the clinical course of the disease and O. T. -bentonite titers on repeated serological testing. Tuberculosis-like antibodies were demonstrated in sarcoidosis patients. These antibodies, however, are globulins (7S), in contrast to the macroglobulins (19S) found in tuberculous patients.