title: [Latent M. tuberculosis infection, update 2011].
abstract: It is estimated that one third of the world population is latently infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and thus at risk of reactivation. Latent tuberculosis (TB) impact in Switzerland is often overlooked. Diagnosis and prophylaxis are insufficiently undertaken, especially for people at higher risk of reactivation due to immunosuppression. Interferon-gamma release assays replace tuberculosis skin tests for diagnosis of latent infection in adults. It is still recommended to treat prophylactically a case of latent TB infection with 9 months of isoniazid; however therapy with rifampicin for 4 months, currently an alternative option, is linked to improved adherence and favorable cost-benefit ratio.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie Département de médecine, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. benoit.lechartier@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lechartier
authors.forename: Jesica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazza-Stalder
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Laurent P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Nicod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008954:Models, Biological; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014374:Tuberculin Test