Striking the right immunological balance prevents progression of tuberculosis.
Inflamm Res
; 66(12): 1031-1056, 2017 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28711989
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Tuberculosis (TB) caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a major burden for human health worldwide. Current standard treatments for TB require prolonged administration of antimycobacterial drugs leading to exaggerated inflammation and tissue damage. This can result in the reactivation of latent TB culminating in TB progression. Thus, there is an unmet need to develop therapies that would shorten the duration of anti-TB treatment and to induce optimal protective immune responses to control the spread of mycobacterial infection with minimal lung pathology.FINDINGS:
Granulomata is the hallmark structure formed by the organized accumulation of immune cells including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, and B cells to the site of Mtb infection. It safeguards the host by containing Mtb in latent form. However, granulomata can undergo caseation and contribute to the reactivation of latent TB, if the immune responses developed to fight mycobacterial infection are not properly controlled. Thus, an optimal balance between innate and adaptive immune cells might play a vital role in containing mycobacteria in latent form for prolonged periods and prevent the spread of Mtb infection from one individual to another.CONCLUSION:
Optimal and well-regulated immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis may help to prevent the reactivation of latent TB. Moreover, therapies targeting balanced immune responses could help to improve treatment outcomes among latently infected TB patients and thereby limit the dissemination of mycobacterial infection.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Tuberculose
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Inflamm Res
Assunto da revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
/
PATOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Índia