What is the Difference Between LTBI and Active TB?

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Laboratory Test Methods. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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What is the Difference Between LTBI and Active TB?

In humans, the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria causes two different conditions to exist:
  • Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), and
  • Active tuberculosis (TB) disease
Symptoms are present in TB disease, while persons with LTBI do not feel sick and are asymptomatic.
The World Health Organization defines latent tuberculosis infection as "a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens without evidence of clinically manifested active TB"1.
1. Latent tuberculosis infection. World Health Organization (WHO). November 2015. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.who.int/tb/challenges/ltbi_factsheet_2014.pdf
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Take on Latent TB Infection. CDC poster. October 2021. This CDC poster in the public domain. Accessed March 23, 2022.
https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/infographic/pdf/Take-On-LatentTB_Annual_TB_FNLCLR.pdf

Take on Latent TB Infection. (2)