Cumulative incidence of active TB, by latent TB status and risk group

In a systematic review and meta-analysis including 18 studies and 80,468 patients, the cumulative percentage of individuals who developed active TB for up to 5 years was determined based on latent TB test and treatment status^[1]. As shown, disease rates were very low in those with negative tests, somewhat higher in those with positive tests received LTBI treatment, and much higher in those with positive tests who were not treated; in addition, disease rates varied depending upon condition and age.
Migrants and close contacts comprised 80% of active TB cases diagnosed among adults within 5 years; among child contacts, more than 90% of active TB cases occurred within 2 years. This emphasizes the need for rapid identification, testing, and treatment of those with LTBI in these groups. This study also underscores the very high rate of disease among children, especially those less than age 5, more than 25% of whom developed active TB in the absence of LTBI treatment.