Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

TB Control: Evolution of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Vaccines and Global Efforts

William Robertson^* Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
^*Correspondence: William Robertson, Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Email:

Received: 21-Nov-2023, Manuscript No. JVV-23-24122; Editor assigned: 23-Nov-2023, Pre QC No. JVV-23-24122 (PQ); Reviewed: 07-Dec-2023, QC No. JVV-23-24122; Revised: 15-Dec-2023, Manuscript No. JVV-23-24122 (R); Published: 25-Dec-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2157-7560.23.14.550

Description

Tuberculosis, a disease that has plagued humanity for centuries, continues to present a formidable challenge to public health worldwide. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for Tuberculosis (TB), primarily affects the lungs but can invade other organs, causing varied clinical manifestations. Understanding the intricacies of this pathogen is crucial in developing effective strategies for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Challenges in TB vaccine development

Developing an effective TB vaccine faces multifaceted challenges. M. tuberculosis exhibits unique features, including its ability to establish latent infection, evade the immune system, and persist within host cells, necessitating a vaccine that can prevent both primary infection and reactivation of latent TB.

Current TB vaccines

The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, developed nearly a century ago, remains the only licensed TB vaccine. While BCG provides protection against severe childhood forms of TB, its efficacy against adult pulmonary TB varies geographically and wanes over time. Efforts to improve BCG or develop novel vaccines have been ongoing to address these limitations.

Emerging strategies in TB vaccine research

Several new vaccine candidates are in various stages of development, aiming to enhance protection against TB. These candidates encompass different vaccine types, including subunit vaccines, viral vector vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, and adjuvanted formulations. Novel approaches such as protein subunits, viral vectors expressing M. tuberculosis antigens, and combination vaccines are being explored to induce robust and durable immunity.

Challenges in TB control

The standard treatment for TB involves a multi-drug regimen administered over several months. However, the rise of drugresistant strains, particularly multidrug-resistant TB and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), poses a significant challenge. Treating these forms of TB requires prolonged and complex regimens with more toxic drugs, impacting patient adherence and outcomes.

TB remains a leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Efforts to control TB include strategies like Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS), contact tracing, improving diagnostic capacities, and research into new drugs and vaccines. However, challenges persist in implementing these measures universally due to resource constraints and social determinants of health.

TB control faces multifaceted challenges, including inadequate access to healthcare, limited resources for diagnostics and treatment, gaps in TB surveillance, and the rise of drug-resistant TB strains. Sociodemographic factors, poverty, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure contribute to the persistence of TB, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Global efforts and collaborations

International partnerships and collaborations play a crucial role in advancing TB vaccine research. Initiatives like the TB Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), collaborations with academic institutions, and partnerships between governments and pharmaceutical industries aim to accelerate TB vaccine development, foster innovation, and ensure equitable access to future vaccines.

Conclusion

Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a significant global health threat, necessitating continued efforts for TB control and elimination. Understanding the microbiology, pathogenesis, clinical aspects, and challenges associated with TB is pivotal in advancing diagnostic tools, treatment strategies, and preventive measures to curb the spread of this enduring infectious disease. Advancements in TB research focus on developing shorter, more effective treatment regimens, improving diagnostics, and enhancing vaccines to prevent TB. Efforts to develop novel drugs and vaccines, including strategies against latent TB, hold promise in addressing TB challenges and reducing disease burden globally.