Antigenic preparation and diagnostic method for identification of nocardia infections

摘要

A novel antigenic preparation and unique diagnostic methodology for the detection of human Nocardiosis is provided which is rapid, sensitive, and reproducibly accurate in providing empirical results. The antigenic preparation comprises 55,000 dalton polypeptides derived from an aqueous supernatant fraction of an ammonium sulfate precipitated suspension of Nocardia species cultured in-vitro. The diagnostic methodology utilizes this antigenic preparation in an enzyme immunoassay which is able to distinguish Nocardia infections from persons having Mycobacteria infections and from persons afflicted with other unrelated ailments.