TNF: A promissing Immunomodulatory therapeutic Agent for tuberculosis

Despite the decline observed in tuberculosis (TB) rates globally TB still the leading cause of death from infectious diseases. Current TB drugs are unable to fully eradicate Mycobacterium tuberculosis at all sites of infection because of their relative inactivity against persisting organisms mainly those in granulomas. Granulomas contain mycobacteria by recruitment of immune cells that surround the bacilli. When granulomas fail to contain bacilli the phenomenon leads in the development of progressive primary TB disease or reactivation of latent TB; whereby bacilli may disseminate to other organs and cause extrapulmonary TB (e.g.central nervous system TB). Central nervous system tuberculosis is the most severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis characterised by the formation of rich foci a brain form of granulomas and tuberculous meningitis. The cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is involved in the recruitment of the immune cells and structure maintenance of granulomas. The book demonstrates the role of TNF from different cell-type during tuberculosis. Suggesting how cell-type specific targeted cytokine TB therapy may integrate into the clinica arena.