Compounds discovered with potential to treat persistent tuberculosis

In a substantial number of cases -- some two billion, in fact -- the tuberculosis bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) isn't active at all. Instead, it hides inside cell aggregates, latent and persistent, waiting to break out. Now, scientists have discovered several first-in-class compounds that target these hidden infections by attacking a critical process the bacteria use to survive in the hostile environment of the lungs.