[Tuberculosis: socio-medical aspects]

Tuberculosis is an ubiquitous infection. The epidemiological situation is now critical. 2.5 million people die every year in the world due to different types of tuberculosis. In Russia, tuberculosis morbidity and mortality are also on the increase. Clinical manifestations of the disease became grave while the treatment less efficient. The key element in tuberculosis pathogenesis is interaction between bacteria, T-lymphocytes and macrophages with cytokines participation this resulting in elimination of the bacteria and formation of hypersensitivity. One of the main control mechanisms may be macrophage apoptosis in the center of the granulomas following with caseous necrosis. Methods of molecular biology open new perspectives in diagnosis, understanding of pathogenesis and tuberculosis treatment.