RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The definition of tuberculosis infection based on the spectrum of tuberculosis disease
JF Breathe
JO Breathe
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 210079
DO 10.1183/20734735.0079-2021
VO 17
IS 3
A1 Giovanni Battista Migliori
A1 Catherine W.M. Ong
A1 Linda Petrone
A1 Lia D'Ambrosio
A1 Rosella Centis
A1 Delia  Goletti
YR 2021
UL http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/17/3/210079.abstract
AB Latent tuberculosis infection was the term traditionally used to indicate tuberculosis (TB) infection. This term was used to define “a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens through tests such as the tuberculin skin test (TST) or an interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) without clinically active TB”. Recent evidence indicates that the spectrum from TB infection to TB disease is much more complex, including a “continuum” of situations didactically reported as uninfected individual, TB infection, incipient TB, subclinical TB without signs/symptoms, subclinical TB with unrecognised signs/symptoms, and TB disease with signs/symptoms. Recent evidence suggests that subclinical TB is responsible for important M. tuberculosis transmission. This review describes the different stages described above and their relationships. It also summarises the new developments in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB infection as well as their public health and policy implications.Educational aimsTo describe the evolution of the definition of “tuberculosis infection” and didactically describe the continuum of stages existing between TB infection and disease.To discuss the recommended approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat TB infection.The evolution from TB infection to disease is now described as a “continuum process”. Understanding of this is important to appreciate what is new on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB infection. https://bit.ly/3jauRKA