Mechanisms to Medicines: Emerging Biomarkers, Drug Discovery, and Diagnostics in Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections

Tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) remain persistent challenges in infectious disease medicine. Diagnostic delays, increasing drug resistance, and the immunological complexity of mycobacterial infections continue to limit early detection and effective treatment, particularly among immunocompromised populations and in regions with a high disease burden. Bridging the gap between mechanistic discovery and clinical application requires the integration of three connected areas of research: understanding host immune responses to mycobacterial pathogens, translating this knowledge into new drug targets and therapeutic strategies, and developing diagnostic tools with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to guide treatment decisions in real time.This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, and brief research reports addressing these areas in relation to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial species. We particularly encourage submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Host immune and redox mechanisms in mycobacterial infection, including the roles of glutathione and other antioxidant pathways in granuloma formation, macrophage function, and control of bacterial replication- Host-directed and adjunctive therapies that modulate immune function to improve treatment outcomes, including in the context of HIV–TB co-infection and other immunocompromising conditions- Discovery and validation of novel drug targets, including genome and pathogenicity informed approaches to identifying vulnerabilities in M. tuberculosis and NTM species- Development and evaluation of vaccine candidates and immunogenic targets, including studies of B-cell and T-cell mediated protection against mycobacterial disease- Emerging and point of care diagnostic technologies, including molecular, serological, and biomarker-based assays for the rapid detection and monitoring of active and latent TB infection- Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges specific to NTM infections, including differentiation from TB and the management of drug resistant strains- Translational studies connecting mechanistic host–pathogen findings with clinically actionable biomarkers or treatment strategiesBy bringing together immunological, pharmacological, and diagnostic perspectives, this Research Topic aims to accelerate the translation of mechanistic insights into clinical tools that improve the detection, treatment, and outcomes of patients affected by tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. Topic editors: Assirbad Behura, Dhruv Desai, Vishwanath Venketaraman Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85058/mechanisms-to-medicines-emerging-biomarkers-drug-discovery-and-diagnostics-in-tuberculosis-and-nontuberculous-mycobacterial-infections