We identified a significant difference in IFN-γ production between the groups (see Figure 1, Table 2 and Additional file 1: Table S1a-c) i.e. a different magnitudes of IFN-γ production in response to (peptide cocktails) Rv2958c, Rv2962c, Rv3347c, Rv3804c, and Rv1886c (protein) between groups 1 (TB+) and 3 (health care workers); the antigens Rv2958c and Rv2962c were differentially recognized between group 2 (non-TB pulmonary diseases) and 3 (health care workers). This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and tuberculosis.