This
antibody consists of the purified IgG fraction and reacts with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of new strains of resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis has created new interest in clinical diagnosis.
Immunohistochemical staining of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in formalin-fixed
paraffin-embedded tissues has been demonstrated. Studies have also shown
immunohistochemical techniques to be superior to conventional special stains.
Thus the demonstration of mycobacterial antigens are not only useful in
establishing mycobacterial aetiology, but also can be used as an alternative
method to the conventional Ziehl-Neelsen method. This antibody is reactive with
other Mycobacteria species including: M. avium, M phlei, and M. parafortuitum.
This antibody is not reactive with E. coli K12, Salmonella typhimurium,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus (group B), Candida albicans and
Neisseria meningitides.