title: Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection: an update.
abstract: It is estimated that more than two billion people have latentM. tuberculosisinfection, and this population serves as an important reservoir for future tuberculosis cases. Prevalence estimates are limited by difficulties in diagnosing the infection, including the lack of an ideal test, and an incomplete understanding of latency. Current tests include the tuberculin skin test and two interferon-γ release assays: QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube and T-SPOT.TB. This update focuses on recent publications regarding the ability of these tests to predict tuberculosis disease, their reproducibility over serial tests, and discordance between tests. We also discuss recent advances in the treatment of latentM. tuberculosisinfection, including the three-month regimen of once-weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid, and prolonged isoniazid therapy for HIV-infected persons living in high-tuberculosis-incidence settings. We provide an update on the tolerability of the three-month regimen.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A2209 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Vanderbilt Tuberculosis Center, A2209 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Anna K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Person
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A2209 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Vanderbilt Tuberculosis Center, A2209 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors.forename: April C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pettit
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A2209 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Vanderbilt Tuberculosis Center, A2209 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Sterling
keywords: Interferon gamma release assay; Latent tuberculosis infection; QuantiFERON-TB gold in tube assay; T-SPOT. TB assay; Tuberculin skin test