Open Longevity Science

2012, 6 : 73-82
Published online 2012 June 29. DOI: 10.2174/1876326X01206010073
Publisher ID: TOLSJ-6-73

The Influence of Increasing Age on Susceptibility of the Elderly to Tuberculosis

Shu-Hua Wang , Bridget Carruthers and Joanne Turner
Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

ABSTRACT

The elderly are susceptible to infection with the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and to the de-velopment of active TB disease. In this review we utilize experimental data from animal models to discuss the concept that age-associated changes in immune function are a critical parameter that contributes to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to M. tuberculosis infection.

Keywords:

Tuberculosis, aging, immunology.