Dormancy models for Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A minireview

Alnimr, Amani M

<p>Dormancy models for <italic>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</italic> play important roles in understanding various aspects of tuberculosis pathogenesis and in the testing of novel therapeutic regimens. By simulating the latent tuberculosis infection, in which the bacteria exist in a non-replicative state, the models demonstrate reduced susceptibility to antimycobacterial agents. This minireview outlines the models available for simulating latent tuberculosis both <italic>in vitro</italic> and in several animal species. Additionally, this minireview discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these models for investigating the bacterial subpopulations and susceptibilities to sterilization by various antituberculosis drugs.</p>.(AU)

1. Tuberculosis
2. Stationary-phase
3. Latency
4. Dormancy