ViroStat has just released two new MabyRab rabbit monoclonal antibodies that are specific for mycobacteria lipoarabinomannan (LAM). These new antibodies form a pair for the detection of LAM and are reactive with all strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis tested. They offer new tools for TB research and potential for rapid detection.
Approximately one-third of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 10 million new cases occur per year. Diagnosis of active TB consists of sputum stain or culture, and both methods have poor sensitivities. Rapid and sensitive methods for diagnosis of active TB are sorely needed.
Lipoarabinomannan is an abundant and significant surface antigen of this bacterium. It is shed during growth and studies have shown that it can be found in both sputum and urine during active TB disease.
These new antibodies join a collection of existing rabbit monoclonal antibodies to Candida albicans, Strep A, Strep B, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aspergillus species and Legionella from ViroStat.
