Role of genetic variants of vitamin D immunomodulation genes in clinical response to treatment of tuberculosis

We read with great interest the recently published study1 on the role of vitamin D on the type and clinical outcome of tuberculosis (TB). The authors did not find any role of baseline vitamin D levels with either the type or clinical outcome but they reported that children with sufficient levels of vitamin D were more likely to have sputum smear conversion at two months than those who did not have sufficient levels. A faster (or higher proportion of patients achieving) sputum smear conversion is an important outcome from the point of view of TB control since even a modest change would significantly alter the risk of transmission of the bacilli within the community.