title: Understanding latent tuberculosis: a moving target.
abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a threat to the health of people worldwide. Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis can result in active TB or, more commonly, latent infection. Latently infected persons, of which there are estimated to be approximately 2 billion in the world, represent an enormous reservoir of potential reactivation TB, which can spread to other people. The immunology of TB is complex and multifaceted. Identifying the immune mechanisms that lead to control of initial infection and prevent reactivation of latent infection is crucial to combating this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.
authors.forename: Philana Ling
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Joanne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Flynn
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*