Immune response to tuberculosis

During recent years a significant amount of information about immune respon ses to mycobacteria has been collected A large quantity of data regarding t he cellular and molecular responses occurring during human or experimental murine tuberculosis has been obtained. In particular, the cytolytic capacit y and the role of T lymphocytes and their CD4(+) and CD8(+) subpopulations in the production of proinflammatory cytokines have been clarified, These s tudies were performed on murine experimental models, which have permitted t he description of the various stages of infection. Some of these data have been confirmed in patients with tuberculosis, However, many aspects remain unclear, particularly as regards the cellular and molecular mechanisms invo lved in long-term acquired protection.