Animal Models of Tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important zoonotic disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex and has a significant impact on public health. Animal models are suitable tools to mimic the clinical symptoms observed in human TB and provide an opportunity to understand immune responses to infection and the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of TB. In this chapter, we summarize the animal models that are used in Mtb research, including common models such as the mouse, rat, guinea pig, non-human primates, rabbit, cattle and zebrafish, as well as discuss some newly established animal models.