Serologically Active Glycolipid Families From Mycobacterium Bovis BCG

Reggiardo, Z., and G. Middlebrook (Dept. Pathology. U. of Maryland. School of Medicine, Baltimore. Md. 21201). Serologically active glycolipid families from Mycobacterium bovis BCG. II. Serologic studies on human sera. Am J Epidemiol 100: 477–486, 1974—Serological tests with serologically active glycolipids from Mycobacterium bovis BCG were investigated for their possible use in the diagnosis of mycobacterioses. The results were positive with 95% of sera from patients with far advanced and moderately advanced tuberculosis, 80% of sera from patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis and 75% of patients with atypical mycobacterial diseases. “False” positive serologic reactions were obtained from 4% or less. Furthermore, 39% of sera from recent tuberculin converters were positive compared with only 9% of sera from unselected PPD positive individuals.