Anti-16-kilodalton mycobacterial protein immunoglobulin M levels in healthy but purified protein derivative-reactive children decrease after chemoprophylaxis.

ABSTRACT Serum responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP16 were determined for children with tuberculosis (TB) and for healthy purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive and PPD-negative children. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM responses were higher for TB patients than for other groups. After chemotherapy, IgM and IgG responses decreased for TB patients and PPD-positive subjects. Monitoring of anti- M. tuberculosis HSP16 responses could assist in the management of pediatric TB.