Specificity of the Immunohistochemical Demonstration of Mycobacterial Antigens

The specificity of immunohistological reactions of commercial polyclonal antibodies to antigens of various mycobacteria (Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium duvalii and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis) was tested in connection with a number of pathogens and with the help of the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Positive reactions occurred with various mycobacterial antigens and some Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. These investigations indicate that when the above antibodies are used in histopathological diagnostics, false-positive results can be expected.