Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and the Autophagic Pathway

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a highly successful bacterial pathogen that survives and replicates within vacuoles of macrophages. During its co-evolution with humans, this bacterium has acquired mechanisms to subvert host defenses, including autophagy. After introducing this human pathogen and its close relatives, M. marinum and M. bovis, we discuss the bacterial and host factors that dictate the outcome of infection by the mycobacteria.