G'day elderpitt,In response to your questions.Let's just get...

G'day elderpitt,

In response to your questions.

Let's just get back to fundamentals for a moment.

I'm in CST based totally upon my fundamental belief in the company and am undisturbed by the current price action.

The way I read CST, is that it has a test that determines whether you have ever been exposed to TB. Right or wrong?

The Quantiferon test is a test for latent TB. Having latent TB means that you have the TB virus but your immune system is keeping it under control. Something in the order of 15% of people who have latent TB will progress to active TB in their lifetime. You can only "catch" the TB virus from someone with active TB.

Also, if you have had a BCG vac the test goes positive. Right or wrong?

Both the existing (TST) test for latent TB and the current Quantiferon test (QFTB1) will often report a false positive if the patient has had the BCG vaccine. The QFTB1 test reports less false positives than the TST test. Note that the US does not vaccinate for TB and Australia has not vaccinated for many years. On the other hand, Japan has virtually 100% vaccinated poulation and Europe has high vaccination levels. The effectiveness of the BCG vaccine is in much doubt. It's effectiveness can only be demonstarted in children but it has virtually no use for adults.

They are presently working on a test that will determine whether TB is active in your body
Right or wrong?

There are many tests available for active TB. Quantiferon is specifically a test for latent TB (though it will report positive in most instances for active TB). The "new" test Quantiferon Mk2 (QFTB2) uses a different protein and does not suffer from the false positive to BCG vaccination. Hence, this will be very important in Japan and Europe. The test is currently in numerous trials and has already proven itself. It will be available for sale by the end of 2003.

What would you want to know, whether you have been exposed to TB, or whether the disease is active?

In the first instance, as a regular person, you would probably only present yourself for testing when you show symptoms (coughing etc). You would then be tested for active TB.

Large scale testing for latent TB is used primarily in low risk populations (ie developed countries) to bring the TB epdiemic under control or where special circumstances dictate. Untill latent TB is brought under control there will continue to be unpredictable outbreaks.


What would your doctor want to know? (he determines what test are ordered)

See previous question.

The answers to these questions determines whether CST is a reseach company or an earnings/dividends company.

Imo, CST is past being "a really promising research project", though obviously, research and develpment continues. They have a product which is currently making sales (albeit small sales, just yet). I consider them to still be a speculative investment but the potential is huge. They have stated that they are on schedule to reach "break even" by the end of 2003.

I hope that the above is of some help.