Flavio De Maio, Flavia Squeglia, Delia Goletti and Giovanni Delogu* Pages 2051 - 2060 ( 10 )
A major goal in tuberculosis (TB) research is the identification, among the subjects infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), of those with active TB, or at higher risk of developing active disease, from the latently infected subjects. The classical heterogeneity of Mtb infection and TB disease is a major obstacle toward the identification of reliable biomarkers that can stratify Mtb infected subjects based on disease risk. The heparin-binding haemagglutinin (HBHA) is a mycobacterial surface antigen that is implicated in tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis. The host immune response against HBHA varies depending on the TB status and several studies are supporting the role of HBHA as a useful biomarker of TB.
Tuberculosis, biomarkers, HBHA, personalized medicine, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), MDR-TB.
Institute of Microbiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16. I-80134 Napoli, Translational Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research, , Institute of Microbiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano