Human IgG antibodies immunoreacting with specific sulfolipids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

IgG and IgM antibodies immunoreacting with sulfolipids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis were detected in sera from tuberculosis patients. The method used was an enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) and the antigens were a 2, 3, 6, 6' tetraacyl trehalose-2'-sulfate (sulfolipid I, SL I) and a 2, 3 diacyl trehalose-2'-sulfate (sulfolipid IV, SL IV). The SL IV antigen was satisfactory for IgG assays. The sensitivity and the specificity of the test were, respectively, 59 and 100%; the predictive values of a positive and negative test were, respectively, 100 and 76%.