The present invention provides a novel glyceroglycolipid produced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The glyceroglycolipid can be used as a diagnostic marker for a disease caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

The invention relates to certain methods for the determination of an antigen content of a first antigen in a mixture comprising two or more antigens. The invention also relates to a potency test for an antigen in a combination vaccine. The method allows the determination of the antigen content in a mixture additionally comprising antibodies that are capable of binding with the antigen.

The present invention is intended to provide an immunochromatographic analyzer that enables a quick and easy, high-sensitivity detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and thus more reliable and faster diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia. The immunochromatographic analyzer according to the present invention is for detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and includes a sample adding section, a label-substance retaining section, a chromatographic medium section having a detection section, and an absorbing section. The label-substance retaining section and the detection section contain an antibody that strongly recognizes domain III of P30 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is a mycolic acid wax ester derived antigen.

The invention relates to certain methods for the determination of an antigen content of a first antigen in a mixture comprising two or more antigens. The invention also relates to a potency test for an antigen in a combination vaccine. The method allows the determination of the antigen content in a mixture additionally comprising antibodies that are capable of binding with the antigen.

[Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a detection marker that can simply and rapidly detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is a pathogen of mycoplasma pneumonia, at a high sensitivity, a specific antibody against the marker, and also an immunological detection method and a kit containing the antibody.

[Solution]

Infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be rapidly and specifically diagnosed by producing an antibody specifically reactive to P30 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and performing an immunological assay using the P30 protein as a detection marker. The present invention enables easy and rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and diagnosis of infection with the bacteria at a hospital or the like without need of specialized instruments or skilled techniques.

An object of the present invention is to provide a detection marker that can simply and rapidly detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is a pathogen of mycoplasma pneumonia, at a high sensitivity, a specific antibody against the marker, and also an immunological detection method and a kit containing the antibody. Infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be rapidly and specifically diagnosed by producing an antibody specifically reactive to P30 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and performing an immunological assay using the P30 protein as a detection marker. The present invention enables easy and rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and diagnosis of infection with the bacteria at a hospital or the like without need of specialized instruments or skilled techniques.

Mycobacterial-specific biomarkers and methods of using such biomarkers for diagnosis of mycobacterial infection in a mammal are disclosed.

Generally, this disclosure relates to expression constructs that encode a reporter enzyme-affinity binding tag fusion protein that is produced after the construct is inserted into bacteriophage and the bacteriophage infects bacteria. In some embodiments, the fusion protein is captured and produces a detectable signal. Signal intensity may correlate with the number of bacterial cells in a fluid sample. Methods of detecting bacteria using the expression constructs, and microfluidic devices for detecting bacteria using the expression constructs are also disclosed.

A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is a mycolic acid wax ester derived antigen.