From genetics to genomics in the rational design of new Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccines

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease affecting people from all ages all over the world. It is estimated that one third of the world population lives infected with the causal agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite availability and systematic administration of BCG vaccine in endemic areas, TB transmission remains elusive to control, partly because BGC efficacy has been shown to have wide variability (0-80%). Such variability in protection is attributed to factors including: the BCG strain used for immunization, preexisting exposure to environmental saprophytic Mycobacterium species, and host genetic factors. In this context, efforts regarding to re-engineering BCG vaccines with the ability to prevent latent TB reactivation, providing long lasting protection, and devoid from collateral effects in immunosuppressed people are urgent. In this work we review the actual molecular "gene-by-gene" strategies aimed at generating BCG alternatives, and discuss the urgent necessity of high throughput technology methods for a rational design for a new TB vaccine. (C) 2010 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.