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. 1987 Jun;55(6):1466–1475. doi: 10.1128/iai.55.6.1466-1475.1987

Characterization, sequence determination, and immunogenicity of a 64-kilodalton protein of Mycobacterium bovis BCG expressed in escherichia coli K-12.

J E Thole, W J Keulen, J De Bruyn, A H Kolk, D G Groothuis, L G Berwald, R H Tiesjema, J D van Embden
PMCID: PMC260538  PMID: 3553003

Abstract

We report the DNA sequence of a previously cloned Mycobacterium bovis BCG gene encoding an immunogenic 64-kilodalton protein. This protein, MbaA, was purified from overproducing Escherichia coli K-12 cells, and the presence of antibodies to MbaA in human sera was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In about 80% of serum samples from tuberculosis patients and in about 60% of samples from BCG-vaccinated individuals, significant levels of anti-MbaA antibodies were found. Surprisingly, in about 30% of the control serum samples obtained from children, anti-MbaA antibodies were also observed. Guinea pigs sensitized with M. bovis BCG or MbaA showed a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction after challenge with purified MbaA, supporting the previously observed strong reactivity of human T-cell clones with this, for mycobacteria, common antigen.

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Selected References

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