Mustafa AS, Amoudy HA, Wiker HG, Abal AT, Ravn P, Oftung F, Andersen P. Comparison of AntigenSpecific T-Cell Responses of Tuberculosis Patients using Complex or Single Antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Scand J Immunol 1998;48:535-543 We have screened peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from tuberculosis (TB) patients for proliferative reactivity and interferon-g (IFN-g) secretion against a panel of purified recombinant (r) and natural (n) culture filtrate (rESAT-6, nMPT59, nMPT64 and nMPB70) and somatic-derived (rGroES, rPstS, rGroEL and rDnaK) antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The responses of PBMC to these defined antigens were compared with the corresponding results obtained with complex antigens, such as whole-cell M. tuberculosis, M. tuberculosis culture filtrate (MT-CF) and cell wall antigens, as well as the vaccine strain, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). In addition, M. tuberculosis and MT-CF-induced Tcell lines were tested in the same assays against the panel of purified and complex antigens. The compiled data from PBMC and T-cell lines tested for antigen-induced proliferation and IFN-g secretion showed that the most frequently recognized antigen was ESAT-6, followed by MPT59, GroES, MPB70, MPT64, DnaK, GroEL and PstS. The frequency of ESAT-6 responders, as measured both by proliferation (18/19) and secretion of IFN-g (16/19) was comparable to the results obtained with whole-cell M. tuberculosis, MT-CF and M. bovis BCG. We also observed that most of the high responders to complex antigens recognized all of the antigens tested (covariation), demonstrating that the repertoire of human T-cell specificities induced by natural infection is directed towards several unrelated culture filtrate as well as somatic-derived protein antigens. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that the cellular immune response in humans is directed against several important target antigens of M. tuberculosis and that some antigens, such as ESAT-6, are recognized by a high number of individuals. Such antigens represent candidates to be used for development of specific diagnostic reagents or in subunit vaccines.

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Haemoptysis is an alarming symptom, and the management depends upon the aetiology. Emergency management depends upon localization of the site of bleeding by roentgenogram, computerized chest tompgraphy and bronchoscopy. We prospectively evaluated 52 patients with haemoptysis admitted to the Chest Hospital, Kuwait for 1 year (January 1998 to December 1998) and followed them up for 1 year (January 1999 to December 1999). There were 42 males (80.8%) and 10 (19.2%) females, with a mean age of 42.2 (16-86) years. Of these, 26.9% were Kuwaiti nationals, 36.5% were Arab non-Kuwaiti nationals, 34.6% were Asians and 1.9% were other nationals. The aetiologies of haemoptysis were bronchiectasis (21.2%), old pulmonary tuberculosis with bronchiectasis (17.3%), active pulmonary tuberculosis (15.4%), bronchitis (5.8%), aspergilloma, rheumatic heart disease and carcinoid (1.9%). Aetiology could not be identified in 25% of patients. The site of bleeding in haemoptysis could not be localized by the consultants in 18 (32%) by roentgenogram. 16 patients (37%) by CT scan and 23 patients (50%) by Fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Sequential estimation of hemoglobin showed a mean of 13.56 (SD 1.9) and 13.31 (SD 1.8) after 24 h. The difference in mean was statistically significant (p<0.036). Conservative management was given in 80.8%, and embolotherapy or surgical intervention in 19.2% of patients. Only 12% of patients had recurrent haemoptysis at 1-year follow up. In conclusion, bronchiectasis and pulmonary tuberculosis were the major causes of haemoptysis in this study. Roentgenogram, CT scan and fibreoptic bronchoscopy are useful for localizing the site of bleeding. Sequential estimation of haemoglobin may be helpful in assessing the severity of haemoptysis, but larger studies are required to address this observation. The outcome of haemoptysis is generally good, with a low mortality and recurrence rate.