Antibody mediated immunity — a missed opportunity in the fight against tuberculosis?

Abstract

Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of mortality produced by a single infectious agent. Each year 8 million new cases and between 2 to 3 million deaths are reported. One-third of the human population is already infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis — the causative agent of tuberculosis. The disease is increasing at a worrying rate primarily due to the absence of an effective vaccine, the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, as well as co-infection with HIV; coupled with the low diagnostic and therapeutic coverage in many developing countries.