The recommendation was published in Tuesday’s issue of JAMA.
“The USPSTF found adequate evidence that accurate screening tests for [latent TB infection] are available, treatment of LTBI provides a moderate health benefit in preventing progression to active disease, and the harms of screening and treatment are small,” according to the recommendation.
Latent TB infections are asymptomatic and not infectious, but can progress to an active TB infection if not treated. LTBI prevalence is estimated to be around 5 percent of the U.S. population.
More article on tuberculosis:
Are we going back to the future with infectious diseases?
Genomic sequencing can help determine end of a TB outbreak
Minnesota health system warns 141 patients of potential TB exposure
