Incidence of inapparent active mycobacterial infections in France detected by an IgG serological test based on antigen 60.

A serological test detecting circulating mycobacterial antibodies of the IgG type applied to various populations. The test detected no positive cases among old age people in a retirement home. Among sexually active women, 3% were positive. This percentage of antigen 60-positive cases was also found among asymptomatic HIV seropositives. The percentage augmented to 5.7% when hospital attendants were analyzed and augmented further to 14% when people known to have had contact with a man suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis were analyzed.