New disease Primer provides a comprehensive overview of TB epidemiology,
prevention, diagnosis and treatment – just published and open access
for 30 days. This comprehensive Primer puts into context the current
clinical and translational challenges in tackling TB globally and
reviews the latest advances in the science of TB, which may lead to
better tools and help us meet End TB targets.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Although primarily a pulmonary pathogen, M. tuberculosis can cause disease in almost any part of the body. Infection with M. tuberculosis
can evolve from containment in the host, in which the bacteria are
isolated within granulomas (latent TB infection), to a contagious state,
in which the patient will show symptoms that can include cough, fever,
night sweats and weight loss. Only active pulmonary TB is contagious. In
many low-income and middle-income countries, TB continues to be a major
cause of morbidity and mortality, and drug-resistant TB is a major
concern in many settings. Although several new TB diagnostics have been
developed, including rapid molecular tests, there is a need for simpler
point-of-care tests. Treatment usually requires a prolonged course of
multiple antimicrobials, stimulating efforts to develop shorter drug
regimens. Although the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used
worldwide, mainly to prevent life-threatening TB in infants and young
children, it has been ineffective in controlling the global TB epidemic.
Thus, efforts are underway to develop newer vaccines with improved
efficacy. New tools as well as improved programme implementation and
financing are necessary to end the global TB epidemic by 2035.
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