Identification of Mycobacteria by ELISA Using Monoclonal Antibodies

Despite significant reductions in the morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis in the technically advanced countries and in many developing countries, there has been little decline in the number of cases of TB in the world over the past 10 years. According to current estimates, 3–4 million new smear-positive cases (infectious) of TB and an equal number of smear-negative (noninfectious) cases arise every year. Two to 3 million persons die from TB each year.