Animal models in tuberculosis research - where is the beef?

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) presents a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic and preventative strategies.
• Preclinical research heavily relies on animal models to mimic human TB pathology and host immune responses due to the high cost of human clinical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and discuss the various animal models employed in tuberculosis research.
• To highlight the utility of different species in understanding TB pathogenesis and evaluating interventions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on animal models for tuberculosis.
• Categorization of models based on species (mammalian, invertebrate, aquatic).
• Discussion of the strengths and limitations of each model type.

Main Results:

• Mice, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates are commonly used, while rabbits and cattle offer closer resemblance to human disease.
• Invertebrate models (fruit flies, Dictyostelium) and the zebrafish are emerging as valuable tools for studying mycobacterial infections and drug screening.
• Zebrafish models show particular promise for high-throughput screening of drug and vaccine candidates.

Conclusions:

• Animal models are indispensable for advancing TB research, providing insights into disease mechanisms and control strategies.
• Data from animal studies require cautious interpretation to ensure relevance to human health.
• Continued refinement of animal models, informed by a deeper understanding of TB, will enhance their utility in drug and vaccine development.