Tuberculosis (TB), an ancient disease that has evolved with humans for more than 4,000 years still continues in the 21st century as a leading infectious disease of mankind with about 10.4 million new TB cases and 1.7 million deaths reported globally in 2016. Tuberculosis is caused by exposure to the bacteria of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex. Following exposure to aerosols containing Mtb, about 5% of individuals develop symptomatic pulmonary TB (primary TB); however, more than 90% of individuals exposed to Mtb (about a third of world population) are believed to develop latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), without any clinical symptoms of the disease. Importantly, LTBI cases can progress to symptomatic, active TB disease (reactivation TB or post-primary TB) upon host immune-compromising conditions; thus, LTBI serves as potential reservoir for future active TB cases. Several animal models, ranging from zebrafish to nonhuman primates, have been explored to understand the pathophysiology of acute/chronic active TB, LTBI, and reactivation. Knowledge gained from such studies can aid in developing more effective intervention strategies to combat TB in humans. In this chapter, we discuss the salient features of various animal models of Mtb infection and their implications in TB research.

Animal Models of Tuberculosis

Eine vereinfachte «screening»-Methode zur Wirkung von Isoniazid und Streptomyzin wird beschrieben.

S. K. Gupta

Papers

A cheap and quick method of screening potential antimycobacterial agents in the Syrian or golden hamster (Cricetus auratus).