Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers

This guide is intended for primary care providers who care for
individuals and populations who may be at risk for infection with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is
the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the body without
signs and symptoms, or radiographic or bacteriologic evidence of
tuberculosis (TB) disease.

Approximately one-third of the world’s population is infected with
M. tuberculosis. In the United States, an estimated 9–14 million
people have LTBI. Without treatment, approximately 5–10% of
persons with LTBI will progress to TB disease at some point in their
lifetime. Identifying and treating those at highest risk for TB disease
will help move toward elimination of the disease. Primary care
providers play a key role in achieving the goal of TB elimination
because of their access to high-risk populations.