Diagnosis of tuberculosis based on the detection of a cocktail of mycobacterial antigen 85B, ESAT-6 and cord factor by immuno-PCR

Attempts were made to enhance the sensitivity of immuno-PCR assay based on the detection of cocktail of mycobacterial antigen 85B (Rv1886c), ESAT-6 (Rv3875) and cord factor (trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate) in pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB patients. Detection of Ag85B was found to be superior to the detection of cocktail in TB patients. •A cocktail of Ag85B, ESAT-6 and cord factor were detected by immuno-PCR (I-PCR).•Detection of Ag85B showed better sensitivity than cocktail in TB patients by I-PCR.•This is the first report to detect cocktail of glycolipid and proteins by I-PCR.