Latent tuberculosis infection: approach and therapeutic schemes

Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem. A priority objective is the implementation of early diagnosis, contact investigation and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) testing. World Health Organization (WHO) concludes that there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of LTBI; both the tuberculin test and IGRA (interferon gamma release assays) indirectly identify tuberculosis infection; both tests are considered acceptable but imperfect. WHO recommends that regimens that include rifamycins are equally effective but less toxic and more adherent than long regimens with isoniazid.