Antibody-mediated immunity: a missed chance against tuberculosis?
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Antibody mediated immunity — a missed opportunity in the fight against tuberculosis?
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:
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Armando Acosta, Mohd Nor Norazmi, Maria Elena Sarmiento
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Antibody mediated immunity — a missed opportunity in the fight against tuberculosis?
Year: 2010
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, with approximately 8 million new cases and 2 to 3 million deaths reported annually. A significant portion of the world’s population—about one-third—is already infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for this disease. The situation is exacerbated by the absence of an effective vaccine, the rise of multi-drug resistant strains, and co-infection with HIV, particularly prevalent in developing countries where diagnostic and therapeutic resources are limited. While current vaccination strategies have focused on inducing cell-mediated immunity, the potential role of antibodies in combating TB has been largely overlooked.
The Protective Role of Antibodies Against M. tuberculosis
Research indicates that antibodies, particularly secretory IgA, could play a significant role in protecting against M. tuberculosis infection. Evidence from various studies and ongoing research by our group supports the idea that specific antibodies can inhibit bacterial colonization and trigger immune responses that modulate infection outcomes. Mechanisms by which antibodies may exert their protective effects include interference with bacterial adhesion, opsonization, toxin neutralization, and the enhancement of various immune responses. Furthermore, this novel approach can potentially translate to practical applications, such as the treatment of multi-drug resistant TB strains and the improvement of current therapeutic regimens. The development of vaccines that induce both cell-mediated and antibody responses may provide a more robust defense against the disease.
Conclusion
In light of the mounting evidence supporting the protective role of antibodies in tuberculosis, there is a critical need to reconsider current vaccination strategies. As the existing BCG vaccine offers limited protection against pulmonary TB in adults, the development of new vaccines that stimulate both humoral and cellular immunity is urgently required. Ongoing research, including the development of recombinant BCG strains expressing both T and B cell epitopes, holds promise for improving TB prophylaxis, therapy, and diagnostics. Ultimately, enhanced strategies using antibody formulations could play a vital role in future efforts to control and mitigate the impact of tuberculosis globally.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the global impact of tuberculosis each year?
Tuberculosis is responsible for approximately 8 million new cases and 2-3 million deaths annually. One-third of the global population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, highlighting the urgent need for effective vaccination and treatment strategies.
What is the current state of tuberculosis vaccine development?
Current vaccines, such as BCG, offer limited protection primarily in children and against severe forms of the disease. There is an urgent need for new vaccines that can effectively combat pulmonary tuberculosis, the most common form of the disease in adults.
How might antibodies contribute to tuberculosis infection control?
Antibodies may modify the outcome of M. tuberculosis infection through several mechanisms, including toxin neutralization, opsonization, and enhancing immune responses. Recent studies show promise in using specific antibodies for prophylactic and therapeutic measures against tuberculosis.
What future applications exist for antibody formulations in tuberculosis?
Antibody formulations could treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, shorten treatment regimens when combined with standard therapy, and provide immediate protection for individuals at high risk or in close contact with infected patients.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Antibody-mediated immunity: a missed chance against tuberculosis?”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health challenge caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is highly infectious and primarily affects the lungs, leading to severe health complications and high mortality rates. The disease is a significant focus of public health due to its continued prevalence and problematic nature, especially in developing regions.
2) Disease:
The term 'disease' refers to an abnormal condition affecting the body, which disrupts normal bodily functions. Tuberculosis is classified as an infectious disease, highlighting its transmission and the biological mechanisms it engages, underscoring the need for effective prevention and treatment strategies to mitigate its impact on health.
3) Animal:
In the context of tuberculosis research, 'animal' pertains to animal models utilized for studying the disease's pathogenesis, immunology, and treatment. These models are vital for testing vaccines and therapeutic approaches before clinical application in humans, thereby providing insights into potential efficacy and safety profiles.
4) Observation:
The word 'observation' signifies the act of closely monitoring and documenting phenomena, crucial for scientific inquiry. In tuberculosis research, observations of immune responses and treatment outcomes in studies enrich the understanding of disease mechanisms and guide the development of innovative strategies for controlling and preventing TB.
5) Accumulation (Accumulating, Accumulate):
The term 'accumulated' indicates the gathering or consolidation of information or data over time. In tuberculosis research, accumulated evidence supporting the protective role of antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis enhances the understanding of immune responses, which is instrumental for formulating advanced vaccine strategies and improving disease management.
6) Developing:
Developing refers to nations with lower economic status and healthcare resources. In tuberculosis discourse, developing countries face unique challenges such as limited access to diagnostics and treatment, which exacerbates TB prevalence. Highlighting these regions emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to improve healthcare systems and combat tuberculosis effectively.
7) Worry (Worried, Worrying):
The adjective 'worrying' reflects concern over the rising trend of tuberculosis cases, particularly due to factors like drug resistance and co-infections. This term conveys the urgency of the tuberculosis epidemic, prompting the global health community to prioritize research, funding, and effective public health strategies to mitigate this alarming trend.
8) Death:
In the context of tuberculosis, 'death' refers to mortality resulting from the illness, highlighting its status as one of the leading causes of infectious disease fatalities worldwide. Understanding death rates associated with TB underscores the disease's severity and the critical importance of effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment interventions.
9) Drug:
The term 'drug' is essential in tuberculosis discourse, referring to pharmaceutical agents used to treat bacterial infections. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complicates treatment regimens, making research focused on new drugs pivotal to improving outcomes for TB patients and controlling the spread of the disease.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Antibody-mediated immunity: a missed chance against tuberculosis?’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Tuberculosis, Protective role, Human population, Treatment of patients, Developing countries, Animal model, Immune response, Cell-mediated immunity, Causative agent, Diagnostic method, Pulmonary disease, Multi-drug resistant strains, Multi-drug resistant, Tuberculosis vaccine, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Tuberculosis patients, Specific antibodies, Cell mediated immune response, Severe form, Infectious agent, Antibody Response, Effective vaccine, New generation vaccines, Antigen presentation, Acknowledgment, Secretory IgA, Leading causes of mortality, Therapeutic method, New vaccines, Co-infection with HIV, Prophylactic method, Prophylactic vaccines, Mycobacterial infection, Therapeutic vaccine, Mucosal secretions.