[In vitro models of Mycobacterium tuberculosis dormancy, and in vivo models of latent tuberculosis infection.]

Modeling of tuberculosis infection is carried out in order to clarify various aspects of the tuberculosis pathogenesis, as well as the testing of new anti-tuberculosis drugs. The characteristic of in vitro models (n = 16) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis dormant state and in vivo models (n = 14) for the latent tuberculosis infection involving several animal species published to date are presented in this review. A brief description of the models and the results obtained by the authors are presented. The analysis of the published data reflects the list of methodological procedures that allow researchers to study the mechanism of the transition of M. tuberculosis cells to a dormant state and reverse to metabolically active state, as well as the process of conversion of active tuberculosis infection to a latent tuberculosis and reactivation.