Immunoelectrophoresis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. Comparative analysis of cell extract and culture filtrate antigens.

Immunoelectrophoretic analyses were performed on a cell extract and culture filtrate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, H37Rv strain using homologous polyvalent goat antisera. General similarity between the cell extract and culture filtrate antigens was found. Significant variation between two anti-culture filtrate antisera was observed. These antigens and antisera also differed significantly from previously described reference reagents. These findings demonstrate the necessity of using reference materials for precise identification of mycobacterial antigens in comparative studies.