A set of serum metabolic biomarkers and detection kit for detecting drug-resistant tuberculosis are provided. The set of the serum metabolic biomarkers includes 17 serum metabolic biomarkers. The 17 serum metabolic biomarkers are verified to be associated with tuberculosis based on the level changes of these biomarkers. The 17 metabolites includes taurine, homocysteine, uric acid, ascorbic acid, suberylglycine, uridine, dopamine 4-sulfate, inosinic acid, glyceraldehyde phosphate, [3-methoxy-4-(phosphoryl)phenyl]carbonyl sulfonic acid, nuclomedone, n4-cyclopropyl-6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-2,4-diimine, 1-[2-chlorine-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethenyl]-1,2,4-triazole, tetrachloro-phthalic anhydride, malotilate, fulvic acid, and L-neopterin. The serum metabolic biomarkers and detection kit for detecting drug-resistant tuberculosis can assist doctors in accurately diagnosing the disease, which is of great significance for the diagnosis and mass screening for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

A rapid detection method of a target biomolecule comprising an antigenic moiety is provided. The method includes providing a source biological sample comprising the target biomolecule; contacting the source biological sample to an ion-exchange medium; eluting the captured-target biomolecule from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate, and loading the eluate to a rapid diagnostic testing device comprising an antibody. The eluate comprises a concentrated form of the biomolecule in a solution having a salt concentration greater than 150 mM. A concentration of the target biomolecule in the eluate is in a range from about 2× to 25× compared to a concentration of the biomolecule in the source biological sample. The target biomolecule binds to the antibody under the salt concentration of greater than 150 mM. A device for rapid detection of target biomolecule is also provided.

The present invention concerns a composition comprising at least three peptides derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen Rv2626c, its use in the diagnostic of latently infected Mycobacterium tuberculosis (LTBI) subjects, corresponding methods of use and kits.

The present invention relates to a device (100) for isolating an analyte (2) from a body fluid sample (4), wherein the analyte (2) is part of a target (6) contained in the body fluid sample (4). The device (100) comprises at least two types of magnetic particles (8, 12) for binding the analyte (2) and/or the target (6), at least three chambers (16, 18, 20) arranged in series to allow controlled movement of the magnetic particles (8, 12) and at least one fluid for releasing the analyte (2) from the target (6).

An apparatus and a method for undertaking a test on a person or animal on site. The apparatus includes a body having a portion for contact with a sample obtained from a person/or animal and analysis means, typically one or more biomarkers, to allow the test to be analyzed. Indication means can be provided on the apparatus to illustrate the test result on site and/or the test results can be captured and transmitted to a remote location for subsequent analysis. If deemed required after the analysis, one or more actions to be taken can be recommended to a person who has been tested and/or the person performing the test while at the location of the test and thereby allow rapid testing and actions to be performed if required.

A human antibody comprising an antigen binding domain which binds PstS1 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) for use in preventing or treating TB infection in a subject in need thereof is provided. Also provided are vaccine compositions and conjugates of such antibodies.

The invention provides a Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex (MTC) (for example, M. bovis and/or M. tuberculosis) diagnostic reagent comprising the reagent components:

a. a Rv3616c antigen polypeptide and/or a Rv3616c antigenic cocktail;

b. a Rv1789 antigen polypeptide and/or a Rv1789 antigenic cocktail;

c. a Rv3810 antigen polypeptide and/or a Rv3810 antigenic cocktail; and

d. a Rv3478 antigen polypeptide and/or a Rv3478 antigenic cocktail.

The diagnostic reagent may further comprise one or more of a ESAT-6 antigen polypeptide and/or a ESAT-6 antigenic cocktail; a CFP-10 antigen polypeptide and/or a CFP-10 antigenic cocktail; a Rv3615c antigen polypeptide and/or a Rv3615c antigenic cocktail; and/or SEQ ID NO:207 (a fusion protein of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 and Rv3615c). There are also provided methods and kits involving use of the diagnostic reagent.

In vitro method for discriminating latent from active TB. The present invention refers to an in vitro method for the differential diagnosis between active TB, preferably early stages of TB, and LTBI.

The present invention relates to the field of genetic engineering, and provides a zipper fastener structure of promoting formation of a protein dimer and application thereof. The zipper fastener can be applied to dimerization of proteins of the same type and dimerization of proteins of different types, and can also be applied to polypeptide cycle formation, polypeptide dimerization, and polypeptide extension. A ESAT6-CFP 10 dimer having an approximately native conformation can be obtained, and the dimer has better solubility, and has a better stimulating effect on memory T cells than a ESAT6-CFP10 fusion protein capable of linear fusion expression. A dimer zipper fastener can assist the formation of a more stable cyclic polypeptide, and a CCP polypeptide added with a dimer fastener can improve the detection rate for citrullinated autoantibodies in serum of a rheumatoid arthritis patient.

Methods for detecting an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting a biological sample comprising T cells from a subject with at least one M. tuberculosis peptide and determining the presence of T cells in the biological sample that specifically recognize the amino acid sequence of the at least one peptide, wherein the presence of T cells that specifically recognize the amino acid sequence of the at least one peptide indicates the subject has an immune response to M. tuberculosis. In certain aspects, the methods of the present disclosure may include treating a subject identified as having an immune response to M. tuberculosis. Also provided are a skin test and immunoassay kits for practicing the disclosed methods.