Mathematical model and tool to explore shorter multi-drug therapy options for active pulmonary tuberculosis
Fig 14
Description of key aspects of the disease model. Bacterial infection occurs by aerosolized bacteria reaching the lungs. The bacteria remain in lung tissue, and may be absorbed into macrophages. With long-standing disease granulomatous lesions may form, which in-part may work to contain the bacteria, but also may limit effectiveness of drug therapy and thus form a partial reservoir of bacteria. Bacterial growth, killing, mutation, and drug effects are present for each model compartment. Dotted lines represent movement of immune cells and solid lines represent movement of bacteria.