Peculiarities of immune response, which are genetically determined by both host and pathogen, have a crucial role in pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Infection by Beijing family strains exhibit diminished production of IL-2, elevated levels of IL-10, and low expression of IFNg with less effective immune response. Analysis of the outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis in 110 patients has revealed that death from tuberculosis is observed more frequent in case of Beijing strain infection, so it is a risk factor for poor outcome of the disease.
