Accuracy of anti-mycobacterial protein 51 antibodies as a biomarker for latent TB infection in asymptomatic HIV positive individuals: a cross-sectional diagnostic study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of anti-Mycobacterial Protein 51 (MPT51) antibodies in latent Tuberculosis (TB) detection among asymptomatic Human Immune Virus (HIV) positive individuals using Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) (QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus) as the gold standard and determine the factors associated with anti-MPT51 antibody positivity among asymptomatic HIV positive individuals. Results: Considering QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus as the gold standard, antibody reactivity to MPT51 revealed sensitivity of 32.6% (95% CI 24.5–40.6), specificity of 56.1% (95% CI 47.6–64.6), positive predictive value of 61.7% (95% CI 53.4–70.1) and negative predictive value of 27.7% (95% CI 20-35.4). Among the factors tested, none was independently associated with an increased risk of antibody reactivity against MPT51.