01299nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002400055653001100079653001200090653002500102653003100127653001700158100001600175700001600191700001300207700001200220700001400232245009500246300001100341490000600352520067300358022001401031       2003                            d  c2003 Jun10aAdhesins, Bacterial10aHumans10aleprosy10aMycobacterium leprae10aMycobacterium tuberculosis10aTuberculosis1 aPessolani M1 aMarques MAM1 aReddy VM1 aLocht C1 aMenozzi F00aSystemic dissemination in tuberculosis and leprosy: do mycobacterial adhesins play a role?  a677-840 v53 a<p>More than one century after the discovery of their etiological agents, tuberculosis and leprosy remain as major health threats for humans, and the molecular mechanisms that lead to the development of both diseases are poorly understood. The elucidation of these mechanisms, and especially those allowing for the mycobacteria to systemically disseminate, should facilitate the development of new prophylactic and/or therapeutic strategies. This review is focused on the routes that Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae may use to disseminate within the human body, and the potential roles played by recently characterized adhesins in this process.</p>  a1286-4579