A Mathematical model for cellular immnology of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease whose etiological agent is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The World Health Organization (WHO) reports 9.2 million new cases and 1.7 million death each year [18, 13]. However, only 10% of infected individuals with Mtb develop the disease in their lifetime [4]. This indicates that in most cases the host immune system is able to control replication of the pathogen. The Mtb bacteria may affect different tissues, but usually develop pulmonary TB. After the entrance of the bacilli into the lung, phagocytosis of the bacteria by alveolar macrophages takes place. Cell mediated immune response develops within 2 to 6 weeks, this leads to the activation and recruitment of other immune cel