[Anti-tuberculosis antibodies in the immunoenzyme test in relation to the effectiveness of chemotherapy of tuberculosis].

A method of indirect solid-phase EIA was used to detect serum antibodies in 110 patients with destructive tuberculosis. The preparation with a molecular mass of 38-42 kD isolated from the mycobacteria H37Rv was used as an antigen. Changes in the level of antituberculous antibodies were found during treatment, which are most manifested in 4-6 months of antituberculous therapy and depend on treatment efficiency. The effective therapy is accompanied by a decrease in the level of antituberculous antibodies by that time, while in ineffective therapy it remains high. Hence, changes in the level of antituberculous antibodies may serve as an additional criterion of chemotherapy efficiency.