Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a leading cause of human disease and death, particularly in developing countries.
Worldwide, TB is intimately linked to poverty, making the control of TB a matter of justice and human rights.
In some areas with a high burden of TB, existing strategies for TB control cannot keep pace with the rising number of cases of TB occurring in parallel with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Emerging mycobacterial drug resistance further complicates the situation.
After decades of steady decline, the incidence of TB is also increasing in industrialized countries, mainly as the result of outbreaks in particularly vulnerable groups.
The bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine has a documented protective effect against meningitis and disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in children.
In countries with a high burden of TB, a single dose of BCG vaccine should be given to all infants as soon as possible after birth
