Patent ID: 6733983
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for identifying a Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium leprae as responsible for a mycobacterial infection comprising the steps of:a) contacting at least one immuno-cross reactive antigen component of Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium leprae with a sample of a body fluid of a human or animal; b) contacting at least one anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis or anti-Mycobacterium leprae antibody, which is capable of reacting with an antigen of the Mycobacterium species, with said body fluid sample; c) detecting the presence of antigen-antibody complexes formed in step a) and step b); wherein the antigen-antibody complexes are characteristic of the particular Mycobacterium species; wherein the immuno-cross reactive antigen component and the antibody do not react with each other; and thereby identifying the Mycobacterium species responsible for the mycobacterial infection.