Subversion of host immune responses by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, one of the world's oldest diseases has nowadays reached a pandemic prevalence. Despite its long history and intense research, efficient drugs against its causative agent, M. tuberculosis, are still limited. One reason for the pathogen's success lies within its capability to evade host immune defense mechanisms and to create a niche within host cells enabling the bacterium to persist for long periods. M. tuberculosis has evolved a diversified set of strategies to manipulate the immune response of the host. In this communication, we discuss some of the strategies employed by M. tuberculosis in order to survive within the hostile environment of the macrophage. A detailed analysis of the molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions will unravel novel mechanisms and might contribute to finding novel approaches to treat and combat tuberculosis.