الفهرس 
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Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases known to the mankind; it is also a leading cause of death among adults, and kills almost 500 children each day worldwide. More than 90% of TB – related deaths occur in developing countries. TB was declared global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1993, with around 8 – 10 million new cases of the disease each year and over 2 – 3 million deaths worldwide. (1).
Infectious agents have emerged as notable determinants, not just complications, of chronic diseases. Not infrequently, infection may simply represent the first misstep along a continuum from health to long-term illness and disability. Preventing or treating infection or the immune response to infection offers a chance to disrupt the continuum, avoiding or minimizing a chronic outcome. (1)
To capitalize on these opportunities, clinicians, public health practitioners, and policymakers must recognize that many chronic diseases may indeed have infectious origins. (1)