The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Apr. 29, 2008

Filed:

Jun. 01, 2005
Applicants:

Marcel Behr, Montreal, CA;

Peter Small, Seattle, WA (US);

Gary Schoolnik, Stanford, CA (US);

Michael A. Wilson, Bethesda, MD (US);

Inventors:

Marcel Behr, Montreal, CA;

Peter Small, Seattle, WA (US);

Gary Schoolnik, Stanford, CA (US);

Michael A. Wilson, Bethesda, MD (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61K 48/00 (2006.01); A61K 39/02 (2006.01); A61K 39/04 (2006.01); C12N 1/21 (2006.01); C12N 15/63 (2006.01); C07H 21/04 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

Specific genetic deletion are identified in mycobacteria isolates, including variations in thegenome 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 fromorto attenuate the pathogenic bacteria.


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