National Tuberculosis and HIV Programmatic management of LTBI Addendum to the National TB and HIV Guidelines

Abstract

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is the persistent immune response to stimulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens without evidence of clinically apparent active Tuberculosis (TB). Estimates show a quarter of the global population is infected with tuberculosis, where most cases are asymptomatic and non-infectious. Studies show that on average, 5-10% of these latently infected persons have risks of progressing to develop active TB, usually within the first five years of initial infection. However, risks of progression by and large depend on immunological status.