Childhood tuberculosis

Identification of the molecular immunological basis of susceptibility and resistance to mycobacterial infection

Project

Although the immune response to tuberculosis (TB) is different in children and adults, research on childhood TB has been relatively neglected. This programme will bring together a major clinical field base in South Africa with research groups in London, Cleveland and Stanford to study the molecular and immunological basis of susceptibility and resistance to TB in children.

One aim of the programme will be to identify the key genes and immunological pathways controlling susceptibility and resistance, through the study of families with defects in their response to mycobacterial pathogens. At the population level, the programme will also explore the patterns of immunological and genetic activation associated with susceptibility to TB in southern Africa.

In laboratory studies, the programme will investigate the immunological mechanisms and genes involved in limiting the growth of mycobacteria in human cells. In field studies, the programme will also test the effectiveness of current and improved BCG vaccines at stimulating protective immunological responses. Such work should provide a much clearer picture of children's immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and form the basis of more effective strategies to prevent and treat TB in the young.

Applicants

Professor M Levin
Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College School of Medicinea at St Mary's Hospital, London, UK

Professor D W Beatty
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Dr B Eley
Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Dr D A Relman
Veterans Administration, Palo Alto Health Care System, USA