title: Latent tuberculosis infection: what we know about its genetic control?
abstract: About 90% of all cases of tuberculosis (TB) infection are comprised of latent mycobacterial persistence in the absence of clinical manifestations. In a proportion of latently infected individuals infection eventually reactivates and becomes contagious, seriously influencing epidemiological situation. Mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transition to dormancy and TB reactivation are poorly understood, and biological markers of latency remain largely unknown. Data are accumulating that the dynamical equilibrium between the parasite and the host (expressed as a long term asymptomatic infection) and its abrogation (expressed as a reactivation disease) are genetically controlled by both parties. In this short review, the authors summarize the results of experimental studies on genetic regulation of the latent TB infection.
authors.affiliation: Central Institute for Tuberculosis, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kondratieva
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Tatyana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Azhikina
authors.affiliation: Central Institute for Tuberculosis, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nikonenko
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Arseny
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaprelyants
authors.affiliation: Central Institute for Tuberculosis, Moscow, Russia. Electronic address: asapt@aha.ru.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Apt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010641:Phenotype; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D022661:RNA, Untranslated
keywords: Animal models; Gene expression; Host genetics; Latent tuberculosis; Short RNA; Treatment