Treating latent TB infection prevents TB disease. For several decades, the United States, with the help of the CDC, has promoted TB prevention and control by treating individuals with LTBI.
Recommended treatment regimens for LTBI are based on the drug susceptibility results of the source case, any coexisting medical conditions, and the potential for drug-drug interactions. A shorter regimen is preferred to achieve treatment compliance, but as mentioned, the regimen chosen depends on several factors. Note that treatment is modified if the patient is known to have been in contact with drug-resistant TB.
Drug(s) most commonly used for treating LTBI include:
- Isoniazid (INH)
- Rifampin (RIF)
- Rifapentine (RPT)
Drug treatment for LTBI may last as short as 3 months or as long as 9 months. Treatment may involve a single drug or a combination of two drugs. Dosing depends on whether the patient is a child or an adult. Treatment compliance begins to wane with time and the number of doses. The 12-dose regimen has been touted for increasing compliance.
