Biomarkers in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infections.

In this chapter, the role of biomarkers in the detection of aetiological agent of tuberculosis in cattle and man was discussed and focused on the recent advances in genomics and proteomics that helped improved our understanding of biomarkers. Discovery of novel biomarkers is essential for developing new diagnostic tests to aid in identification of infected animals in disease surveillance for bovine TB. Also discussed are: biomarker challenges, human tuberculosis, cellular immune responses for potential biomarker application, serum cytokines, circulating mRNA, mechanisms of release of protein biomarkers into circulation, methodologies used for circulating nucleic acids (CNA) discovery, proteomics approach, circulating nucleic acid approach, and characteristics of an ideal biomarker.