Tuberculosis (TB), a deadly airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, takes the lives of almost 2 million people each year and is considered to be the most common infectious disease in the world. However, thanks to the efforts of researchers such as the volumes’ lead editor, Dr. Stefan H. E. Kaufmann, there have been several recent advances in fighting the disease.

Dr. Stefan Kaufmann, the Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Charité at the Humboldt University, Berlin, has published more than 600 scientific articles and currently serves as President of the European Federation of Immunological Societies and Chair of the Immunology Division of the American Society of Microbiology. Dr. Kaufmann is considered the world's leading expert in the field of tuberculosis.

The Handbook of Tuberculosis, which explores the causes and available treatments of the widespread infection as well as current research into vaccination, is divided into three separate volumes covering different areas of study. Each volume provides an essential resource to molecular and cell biologists, bacteriologists, immunologists, pathologists and pathophysiologists, clinicians and those working in the pharmaceutical industry and interested in world health.

Volume 1: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry highlights the molecular mechanisms of tuberculosis.

Volume 2: Immunology and Cell Biology presents the pre-eminent resource for all aspects of cell biology and immunology of tuberculosis, including vaccine development.

Volume 3: Clinics, Diagnostics, Therapy and Epidemiology introduces a comprehensive overview of clinical aspects of tuberculosis, including drug resistance, epidemiological aspects and clinical trials. It is co-edited by Dr. Paul van Helden, Professor of Medical Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Director of Laboratory Research for the Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre and former President of the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.