Detection of antituberculosis antibodies and antigens by enzyme immunoassay in young and preschool children suffering from tuberculosis

: Antituberculosis antibodies and mycobacterial antigens were detected in 74 young and preschool children suffering from tuberculosis by using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). They were found in 75.7% and 68.9% of children, respectively. The highest levels of antibodies were significantly greater in patients with active disseminated processes than in those with active restrictive processes. There were no great differences in the levels of antigens between the patients having different activities of a tuberculosis process. Follow-up indicated that there was a reduction in the levels of antibodies and antigens at 6-month treatment. The use of enzyme EIA in children ill with tuberculosis may serve an additional criterion for diagnosis of tuberculosis, evaluation of its activity and course.