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Abstract
CD8+ T cells are critical in controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, yet their role in distinguishing active TB (ATB) from latent infection (LTBI) remains unclear. We evaluated IFN-γ CD8+ T cell responses to five novel Mtb antigens in 108 TB-positive subjects from Uganda using ELISPOT. While categorical response thresholds showed no significant association with TB phenotype, quantitative analysis revealed significantly higher IFN-γ responses to four antigens in ATB versus LTBI (p ≤ 0.015). These findings suggest continuous CD8+ T cell IFN-γ responses correlate with bacillary burden and may inform TB diagnostics and vaccine development.