Latent TB (LTBI) treatment: Challenges in India with an eye on 2025: "To Treat LTBI or not to treat, that is the question"

Abstract

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is defined as a consistent immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens without evidence of clinically evident active tuberculosis (TB). Diagnosis and treatment for LTBI are important for TB, especially in high-risk populations especially in high prevalent country like India. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are used to diagnose LTBI. Therefore an unequivocal policy /of diagnosis and treatment of LTBI will serve to ameliorate the standards of the Indian health scenario and bring the TB infection to the propinquity of its ultimate elimination.

Keywords: India; Latent; TB Infection.