The Immunopathology of Tuberculosis – An Update

Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection remains a global killer, many immunopathological aspects of the disease are poorly understood, and defence mechanisms long thought to help host defences such as granuloma formation have recently been challenged. This review highlights contemporary evidence that granulomas may benefit mycobacterial survival and dissemination, particularly citing the zebrafish model of pathogenesis. Other selected examples of novel research covered include the role of the lung extracellular matrix, mycobacterial evasion techniques, chemokine response, immune reconstitution in the context of human immunodeficiency virus, and biomarker development. These advances may yield improved diagnostics and offer targets for anti-tuberculous chemotherapy and vaccine development.