Challenges in developing New Tuberculosis Vaccines

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and curable disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Transmission occurs through continuous contact with aerosols generated by infected people usually through coughing and sneezing, especially in poorly ventilated places with crowds of people. In 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB was the second leading cause of death in the world caused by a single infectious agent, after coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Of the total number of people who develop tuberculosis each year, around 90% are adults. The disease usually affects the lungs causing pulmonary TB, but it can also present as extrapulmonary tuberculosis with involvement of lymph node, pleura and other organs.