Human leukocyte antigens in tuberculosis and leprosy.

Human mycobacterial infections are characterized by a spectrum of clinical and immunological manifestations. Specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) factors are associated with the subtypes of leprosy that develop and the course of tuberculosis after infection. The identification of protective mycobacterial antigens presented by a broad variety of HLA molecules will have important implications for the design of vaccines.