Detection of Immune Complexes in CSF of Tuberculous Meningitis cases in Correlation with Antibody Response

摘要

A total of 800 CSF samples from patients suspected to TB meningitis were analyzed for anti-TB antibodies and mycobacterial immune complexes. About 24.375% of the cases showed anti-TB immune response by ELISA. Some CSF samples were positive only for anti-TB antibodies whereas some others were positive only for mycobacterial immune complexes. It appears that the immune complexes which are found before the free antibody could be detected. Immune complexes are a mixture of both antigen and antibodies. As the disease progresses the patient would have free antibodies and may become negative for immune complexes. It appears from the present study that the detection of both antibody and immune complexes is significant in the immunodiagnosis of the disease.