A Key Step in the Direction of TB Elimination from the World: Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Abstract

Infection by the organism Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) may not lead to clinical disease in the majority of human beings because of the immune system of a healthy person which prevents disease. However, the bacteria still remains in the body in a hidden form which is known as Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) and may cause disease if there is immune compromise due to any reason such as Diabetes, chronic use of steroids, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other such factors. This article attempts to focus on the diagnostics and management of LTBI. The treatment of LTBI to all infected may not be possible due to infection rates in countries like India as high as 40 % of the population. However, targeted treatment of LTBI in high risk situations is a feasible option. LTBI management has undergone a lot of changes in the drug(s) being used which will be covered in the chapter.