Background The exact role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of TB is poorly understood.
Recent evidence suggests that neutrophils are not simply scavenging phagocytes in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Methods Three different types of clinical
specimens from patients with active pulmonary TB who underwent lung surgery were
examined: sputum, BAL fluid, and cavity contents. Differential cell separation and
quantification were performed for intracellular and extracellular bacteria, and bacterial …