Plan of action for research in the immunology of tuberculosis: memorandum from a WHO meeting.

A meeting was held to outline a comprehensive research plan, based on recent advances in biomedical sciences, for the development of improved methods for the control of tuberculosis. Such a plan requires a stepwise approach. The meeting focused on the initial activities to be carried out and on setting priorities.In the setting of priorities, the meeting considered not only feasibility and potential benefit of various studies but also activities already being undertaken and their funding. Thus, emphasis was put on the exploitation of new technological approaches, such as recombinant DNA technology, T-cell cloning and hybrid-cell methodology, and the production of monoclonal antibodies and immunoregulatory substances. The following subjects were proposed for targeted research: molecular biology, monoclonal antibodies, immunoregulation in human tuberculosis, experimental immunology of tuberculosis, and cloning of mycobacteria.A strategic plan has been drawn up to indicate the link between the initial activities and the ultimate goals of the programme. It was recommended that a comprehensive research programme on the immunology and molecular biology of tuberculosis should be established and, as funds become available, the programme should be advertised to the scientific community on a worldwide basis.