This book illustrates the intimate relationship between alveolar macrophages and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.), and the former’s role in both innate and adaptive immunity against M.tb. It covers research done over the last decade. It also explores the role of macrophage death following infection with M.tb. in determining whether successful immunity is stimulated, or whether clinical disease develops; furthermore, the function of host lipid mediators in macrophage death modality are addressed. The book also illustrates how the balance between prostaglandins and lipoxins determines whether infected macrophages undergo apoptosis or necrosis, which is the ultimate factor in the outcome of infection. Finally, it is a synthesis of the authors’ recent studies and the studies of others to offer a new understanding of immunity to tuberculosis.

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young adults. The spread of new pathogens and the threat of antimicrobial resistance pose particular challenges in combating these diseases. Major Infectious Diseases identifies feasible, cost-effective packages of interventions and strategies across delivery platforms to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, adult febrile illness, viral hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases. The volume emphasizes the need to effectively address emerging antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems, and increase access to care. The attainable goals are to reduce incidence, develop innovative approaches, and optimize existing tools in resource-constrained settings.

This work contains updated and clinically relevant information about tuberculosis. It is aimed at providing a succinct overview of history and disease epidemiology, clinical presentation and the most recent scientific developments in the field of tuberculosis research, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment. It may serve as a practical resource for students, clinicians and researchers who work in the field of infectious diseases.

Progress obtained by mycobacteriology in recent years is undeniable with regards to preventing, detecting, and treating cases of tuberculosis, millennial disease that is still present as public health issue worldwide. We present here high-impact research and interest topics related to the application of new methodologies, especially molecular methods for rapid diagnostic such as rapid DST, application of high performance liquid chromatography, molecular epidemiology and molecular diagnostic testing on post mortem. Currently, the constant search for vaccines that prevent the disease is promising through research of the immune response generated by the host towards the bacterium, and the effectiveness that may be achieved from developed vaccines. Another high-impact factor is the one generated by considering tuberculosis as a social disease with an infectious component reflected in research about tuberculosis and human rights. Finally, we present important issues of the pathogen interaction with different hosts. The constant knowledge generation that expands the frontiers of understanding is a key factor for finding solutions and successful activities for public health.

An annual death toll of 2 million, coupled with rising drug resistance, highlights the need for the development of new drugs, better diagnostics, and a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine. Addressing these key issues, A Color Atlas of Comparative Pathology of Pulmonary Tuberculosis introduces TB histopathology to the non-histopathologists, students, scientis