Renewed efforts in tuberculosis (TB) research have led to important new insights into the biology and epidemiology of this devastating disease. Yet, in the face of the modern epidemics of HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and multidrug resistance—all of which contribute to susceptibility to TB—global control of the disease will remain a formidable challenge for years to come. New high-throughput genomics technologies are already contributing to studies of TB’s epidemiology, comparative genomics, evolution, and host–pathogen interaction. The authors argue here, however, that new multidisciplinary approaches—especially the integration of epidemiology with systems biology in what is called “systems epidemiology”—will be required to eliminate TB. They review the recent history of TB research and some of the latest insights into the evolutionary history of the disease.

They then discuss ways in which the population could benefit from a more comprehensive systems approach to control TB in the future.

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Source: www.nccid.ca