Inquiry on the significance of detecting serum antibody of 38KD_a antigen in the recruits with strong positive OT

Objective: To investigate the relativity between subclinical infection of tuberculosis and strong positive OT in recruits,and to discuss new prevention measures against tuberculosis.Methods:The serum antibody to 38 KDa antigen and LAM in recruits with strong positive OT were detected by ELISA and immunochromatography,The recruits with antibody positive were revisited in months and in one year.Results:The serum antibody to LAM in all recruits with OT strong positive were negative.The cases of recruits with antibody positive and OT strong positive cases in the group with or without BCG vaccination trace was 5（3.96%） and 1（0.56%） respectively,the difference between two groups was significant（P＜0.05）.3 cases of recruits with OT strong positive and without BCG vaccination trace were found to have the physical features of tuberculosis in 3 months and 2 cases had a diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy in one year.Conclusion:The level of serum antibody to 38 KDa antigen is associated with the subclinic infection of tuberculosis.The recruits with OT strong positive and antibody positive to 38KDa antigen should be given a preventive treatment of antituberculosis.