Frequent detection of anti-tubercular-glycolipid-IgG and -IgA antibodies in healthcare workers with latent tuberculosis infection in the Philippines

Clin Dev Immunol. 2012:2012:610707. doi: 10.1155/2012/610707. Epub 2012 Apr 5.

Abstract

Anti-tubercular-glycolipid-IgG (TBGL-IgG) and -IgA (TBGL-IgA) antibodies, and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT) were compared in healthcare workers (HCWs, n = 31) and asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-carriers (HIV-AC, n = 56) in Manila. In HCWs, 48%, 51%, and 19% were positive in QFT, TBGL-IgG, and -IgA, respectively. The TBGL-IgG positivity was significantly higher (P = 0.02) in QFT-positive than QFT-negative HCWs. Both TBGL-IgG- and -IgA-positive cases were only found in QFT-positive HCWs (27%). The plasma IFN-γ levels positively correlated with TBGL-IgA titers (r = 0.74, P = 0.005), but not TBGL-IgG titers in this group, indicating that mucosal immunity is involved in LTBI in immunocompetent individuals. The QFT positivity in HIV-AC was 31% in those with CD4+ cell counts >350/μL and 12.5% in low CD4 group (<350/μL). 59 % and 29% were positive for TBGL-IgG and -IgA, respectively, in HIV-AC, but no association was found between QFT and TBGL assays. TBGL-IgG-positive rates in QFT-positive and QFT-negative HIV-AC were 61% and 58%, and those of TBGL-IgA were 23% and 30%, respectively. The titers of TBGL-IgA were associated with serum IgA (P = 0.02) in HIV-AC. Elevations of TBGL-IgG and -IgA were related to latent tuberculosis infection in HCWs, but careful interpretation is necessary in HIV-AC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / blood
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / immunology
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Carrier State
  • Female
  • Glycolipids / chemistry
  • Glycolipids / immunology
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Latent Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Latent Tuberculosis / immunology
  • Latent Tuberculosis / microbiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Philippines
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Glycolipids
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • anti-IgA
  • anti-IgG
  • Interferon-gamma