Research is exploring the relationship between autophagy and mycobacterium tuberculosis, with studies indicating that autophagy can counteract the infection at early stages. However, certain proteins produced by the bacteria, such as PE_PGRS20 and PE_PGRS47, may inhibit autophagy, allowing the infection to persist. The interplay between autophagy and host-pathogen interactions is being investigated, with potential therapeutic opportunities emerging from the understanding of autophagy's role in antimicrobial immunity.