Tuberculosis reemerges: the captain remains aboard.
The resurgence of tuberculosis and the emergence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis have led to renewed interest in this ancient disease. Advances in the field of molecular biology have increased our understanding of the epidemiology and transmission of infection. This has had a particular impact on the documentation of, and the subsequent development of guidelines to prevent, the nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis. Molecular techniques have dominated the efforts of investigators to improve diagnostic methods and therapeutic options. Recent information regarding the mechanism of developing protective immunity to tuberculosis may lead to the development of more effective vaccines and a role for immunotherapy in treatment. National and international organizations have formulated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of disease and infection. The development of a global response to the problem of tuberculosis in order to ensure the establishment of long-lasting control is needed.
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Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn 11203, USA.
Hyman
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D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008967:Molecular Biology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000503:physiopathology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine