Tuberc Respir Dis.  1995 Aug;42(4):455-464.

Immunoglobin G Antibodies to Purified-Protein-Derivative and Lipoarabinomannan-B by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion

• Moon TH
• Cho CH
• Kwak SM
• Kim JJ
• Cho SN

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Considering that both humoral and cell mediated immunities play an important role for human tuberculosis infection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) measurement of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to mycobacterial antigens can be used for the serologic diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion. METHOD: We measured absorbance values of IgG antibodies to purified-protein-derivative (PPD) and lipoarabinomannan-B (LAM-B) in the pleural fluid (PF) and the serum in 40 tuberculous (TPE) and 19 nontuberculous pleural effusions (NTPE).
RESULTS
1) The IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B were significantly (P<0.0005) higher in the PF and the serum of TPE compared to NTPE. 2) The IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B in the serum were higher than that in PF. 3) Significant correlations were found between pleural and serum IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B. 4) With a cutoff value for IgG antibody to PPD in the PF of 0.091, sensitivity was 55.0% and specificity 94.7% in the diagnosis of TPE. 5) With a cutoff value for IgG antibody to LAM-B in the PF of 0.337, sensitivity was 50.0% and specificity 94.7% in the diagnosis of TPE. 6) The seropositive rates in TPE were not related to PPD skin test status, the amount of PF and coexisting active pulmonary tuberculosis.
CONCLUSION
The assay of IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B might be useful for the diagnosis of TPE. Our study suggests the mechanism of passive transfer of IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B from the serum to the PF through pleural tissue.

Keyword

Tuberculous pleural effusion; PPD; LAM-B; ELISA

MeSH Terms

Antibodies*
Diagnosis*
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay*
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Pleural Effusion*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Skin Tests
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
Antibodies
Immunoglobulin G