Detection of IgG1 antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis DosR and Rpf antigens in tuberculosis patients before and after chemotherapy

Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging. Serum IgG1 antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis active growth phase antigens (ESAT-6/CFP-10, Rv0717 and Rv3353), DosR regulon-encoded proteins (Rv1733, Rv1737, Rv2628 and Rv2029), and resuscitation-promoting factors (Rv0867 and Rv2389) were evaluated in TB patients using ELISA. Active TB patients showed elevated levels of IgG1 antibodies against ESAT-6/CFP-10, Rv0717, Rv3353, Rv1733, Rv2628, Rv2029 and Rv0867 in comparison to healthy controls (p < 0.001). These levels remained high after the initiation of treatment, while responses to Rv0717 and Rv1733 peaked early during treatment. IgG1 responses to ESAT-6/CFP-10, Rv3353, Rv2628, Rv2029 and Rv0867 declined to control levels after the completion of 6 months chemotherapy. ROC analysis confirmed the good diagnostic performance of Rv0717, Rv1733, Rv3353, Rv2628, Rv2029 and Rv0867antigens. These data suggest that detecting IgG1 antibodies against M. tuberculosis antigens, including DosR and Rpf proteins, may represent an additional tool in the diagnosis of tuberculosis.