World Tuberculosis(TB) Dayis observedevery year, on March 24th –the day in 1882 when Robert Koch discovered the bacteria that causes TB. Despite much effort to control the disease,it is estimated that one third of the world’s population is infected with TB, and in 1993 theWorld Health Organizationdeclared tuberculosis a global health emergency.

In 2006, theStop TB Partnershipdeveloped aGlobal Plan to Stop Tuberculosisthat aimed to save 14 million lives between 2006 and 2015, but that target is unlikely to be achieved due to the emergence of TBassociated with HIV infections and the spread of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

BioMed Central encourages the global effort to combat TB by providing a range of forums for the dissemination of research into the disease; the key to fighting back against TB is being armed with a better understanding of the bacteria that cause TB (mainlyMycobacterium tuberculosisbut also its relations such asMycobacterium bovis).BMC Infectious Diseaseshas a dedicated section for TB related articles, headed by Section EditorProfessor Steve Lawnof the University of Cape Town. The journal has recently published an important article on a potential new method ofdiagnosing TB.

BMC Microbiologyregularly publishes the latest findings on the biology ofMycobacterium tuberculosisand its relatives, whilst the immunological aspects of TB are addressed inBMC Immunology. Although a significant portion of the world is infected with TB, the disease mainly manifests in the immunocompromized, such as those withHIVand otherparasiticinfections or theelderly.

This year’s World TB Day focuses on ‘stopping TB in our lifetime’. To find out more, please visit theStop TB partnership.