Improving the Diagnosis of Latent TB Infection Tools for TB Elimination?

Treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) is increasingly seen as an important component of TB control and elimination programs, particularly in low-prevalence countries such as the United States and in western Europe.1,2,3 However, the burden of latent infection in the world is enormous, estimated at some 1.7 billion persons.4 Even in the United States, a country with a very low prevalence of TB, it is estimated that there are roughly 11 million persons with LTBI.5 It will be difficult or impossible to treat all these persons under any circumstances. However, if treatment of LTBI was targeted at those most likely to experience active disease, the challenge might become more manageable. How are such persons best identified?

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