Molecular differences between species of the M. tuberculosis complex

US6686166B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · US

Inventors

• Marcel Behr · Montréal, CA
• Peter Small · Stanford, US
• Gary Schoolnik · Palo Alto, US
• Michael A. Wilson · Virginia Beach, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 27, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 3, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 27, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q2600/156
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Specific genetic deletions are identified in mycobacteria isolates, including variations in the M. tuberculosis genome sequence between isolates, and numerous deletion present in BCG as compared to M. tb. These deletions are used as markers to distinguish between pathogenic and avirulent strains, and as a marker for particular M. tb isolates. Deletions specific to vaccine strains of BCG are useful in determining whether a positive tuberculin skin test is indicative of actual tuberculosis infection. The deleted sequences may be re-introduced into BCG to improve the efficacy of vaccination. Alternatively, the genetic sequence that corresponds to the deletion(s) are deleted from M. bovis or M. tuberculosis to attenuate the pathogenic bacteria.