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Host versus pathogen: Two sides of the same challenge in the TB world
Author(s) -
Cooper Andrea M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.200990014
Subject(s) - disease , biology , limiting , host (biology) , pathogen , tuberculosis , host response , immunology , ecology , medicine , pathology , immune system , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abstract Humans have studied tuberculosis for many thousands of years. For most of this time investigations were focused on describing patient symptoms with the hope of ameliorating them and perhaps limiting the spread of disease. At the end of the 19th century, however, the association between the bacterium and disease was demonstrated 1 – a discovery recognized annually on 24 March by World TB Day, a day that also highlights efforts to eliminate the disease. Following the discovery, the study of the disease split in two directions: the nature of the pathogen and the nature of the host response. A key advance to be celebrated this World TB Day 2009 is that we are now in a position to integrate the study of the bacteria with that of the host response and thereby create a more complete understanding of how this pervasive disease develops. With this improved understanding more efficient and targeted intervention will be forthcoming.