Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection

Abstract

Treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection is an important component of TB control programs in both high- and low-prevalence countries. Clinical trials of treatment of latent TB conducted over several decades have demonstrated that preventive treatment can reduce the risk of developing active TB up to 90%. Although 9 months of daily, self-administered isoniazid has been the most widely used and recommended regimen for the treatment of latent infection, other regimens such as 3 months of daily isoniazid and rifampin, or 4 months of daily rifampin alone have also been recommended and used. Most recently, a 12-dose regimen of once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine has been shown to be noninferior to 9 months of daily isoniazid in a large and well conducted clinical trial. Adoption of such a regimen on a large scale could have significant implications for TB elimination efforts.