The aim of the present review demonstrates the translational potential ofnanotechnology to address the various challenges associated with the management oftuberculosis and improve current therapeutic strategies. Nanoparticles as a diagnostic toolinclude highly sensitive nanoparticle test which can potentially address many of thechallenges outlined by the World Health Organization for the delivery of rapid andeffective point of care diagnostics. The search for pioneering therapeutic approaches basedon the use of new chemical compounds is gaining immense attention in modern therapybecause of the increasing drug resistance. Tuberculosis (TB) in humans has been describedsince ancient times and its causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is widelydisseminated. The WHO estimates that approximately one-third of the global community isinfected with M. tuberculosis. Approximately one-third of the world population is infectedwith Mycobacterium tuberculosis, resulting in more than eight million new cases and twomillion deaths annually. Recent implementation of the World Health Organization's strategyhas been problematic, and TB remains a major burden in many developing countries.Despite mass Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination and the development of antitubercular drugs, tuberculosis still remains a major global public health problem. Howevernanotechnology has provided a huge improvement to pharmacology through the designingof drug delivery systems able to target phagocytic cells infected by intracellular pathogens,such as mycobacteria. The increased therapeutic index of anti-mycobacterial drugs; thereduction of dosing frequency; and the improvement of solubility of hydrophobic agents,allowing the administration of higher doses, have been demonstrated in experimentalinfections. Future research needs to include more comprehensive characterization, qualitycontrol and identification of antituberculars of clinical exposure with regards tocomposition and threshold. This review will shower the emerging vistas taken in this surge.
S.M. Hussain (Wed,) studied this question.