Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Gene Expression in the Human Host

Survival and growth within the human host are essential elements of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis. Thus, understanding the physiology of the tubercle bacilli within the infected host will enable investigators to define the mechanisms of pathogenesis of this organism. In this chapter, we summarize the approaches that have been and are being used to analyze mycobacterial gene expression during its sojourn in the human host, as well as the knowledge that has been gleaned in our understanding of this very successful pathogen.