Tuberculosis: Treatment-related Problems and Future Facets

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the primary cause of mortality in the world. M. tuberculosis strains are important intracellular pathogens causing infection in oxygen-rich macrophages in the lungs. The emergence of AIDS, declined socioeconomic standards and a lessened emphasis on TB control programs have contributed to the disease resurgence. Resistance of M. tuberculosis strains to anti-TB agents is an increasing problem worldwide. However, powerful new anti-TB drugs with new mechanisms of action have not been developed in the last 40 years, in spite of acute toxicity of repeated dosing of the available anti-TB drugs.