Updated guidelines for the treatment of latent TB infection

Updated guidelines for the treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) have recently been published by the National TB Controllers Association (NTCA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Comprehensive guidelines for treatment of LTBI among persons living in the United States were last published in 2000, and since then, several new regimens have been evaluated in clinical trials. To update previous guidelines, the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA) and CDC convened a committee to conduct a systematic literature review and make new recommendations for the most effective and least toxic regimens for treatment of LTBI among persons who live in the United States. In summary, short-course (3- to 4-month) rifamycin-based treatment regimens are preferred over longer-course (6–9 month) isoniazid monotherapy for treatment of LTBI. These updated guidelines can be used by clinicians, public health officials, policymakers, health care organizations, and other state and local stakeholders who might need to adapt them to fit individual clinical circumstances.