Overview Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that most commonly affects the lungs and is caused by a specific type of bacteria. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spit. Tuberculosis is preventable and treatable. It is estimated that about a quarter of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. […]
Tuberculosis can be treated with several drugs taken for 6 to 9 months. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection does not take long (usually 3-4 months). People being treated for latent tuberculosis infection or tuberculosis disease should take and use their medicines as directed. Many tuberculosis programs use direct observational therapy (DOT) to help patients complete […]
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is an asymptomatic mycobacterial infection defined on the basis of cellular immune responses to mycobacterial antigens. Currently, the tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) are used to diagnose LTB. However, neither TST nor his IGRA are useful in distinguishing between active and latent TB. Furthermore, these tests […]
