Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Swiss Children

Blood collected in a sodium-heparin tube will be used for the assay using novel TB-specific antigens. After incubation the supernatant will be harvested and cryopreserved at -80 °C for further testing of cytokines. Cytokines will be measured using a bead-based multiplex assay reader (MAGPIX, Luminex Crop., Austin, USA).

Blood will be stimulated with recombinant MTB-specific antigens, ESAT-6, CFP-10, positive control or left unstimulated. Following an initial duration of stimulation, Brefeldin-A will be added and the blood incubated for a further 5 hours. White cells will be fixed and cryopreserved at - 80°. Batched analysis within 6 months of cryopreservation will be done using multi-colour flow cytometry.