Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases known to humankind. The existing TB vaccine is highly protective, but it has some limitations. A new model will allow scientists to compare vaccines in development so they can be ranked. As the model is refined, the hope is that it will deliver an improved vaccine for TB – and other illnesses – much faster.
Caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB has coevolved with humans over centuries. It still claims the lives of around 1.5 million people annually. A quarter of the world’s population is latently infected.
Treatment of the disease requires months of intensive therapy with high-quality antibiotics. Those with active TB may cough up blood or experience fever, chills and weight loss, among other symptoms. In many parts of the world, access to life-saving medications can be limited, and the stigma attached to the disease often complicates treatment.
