Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Transmitted through the air, TB remains one of the great challenges in global public health and infectious disease control. Latent TB infection (LTBI) refers to a state where TB bacteria survive in the body but remain dormant and inactive, not causing clinical symptoms such as cough, fever, weight loss, or night sweats; thus, LTBI is not contagious. However, untreated LTBI can later develop into active tuberculosis. The bacteria will begin to proliferate and cause disease-related symptoms. TB-related abnormalities may be detected through imaging checks such as X-rays even without obvious clinical symptoms. The World Health Organization estimates that about one-quarter of the global population has LTBI. Although most individuals with LTBI do not develop active TB in their lifetime, those with weakened immune systems, such as patients with HIV, diabetes, or on immunosuppressive drugs, and older adults with age-related immune decline, face a significantly increased risk of LTBI progressing to active TB. This article introduces the latest global and Taiwanese strategies and advancements in diagnosing and treating LTBI, aiming to enhance health-care workers’ understanding of LTBI treatment, thereby contributing to Taiwan’s goal of eliminating TB by 2035.
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