This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlightinga common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategiesis then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines,when they exist. The article ends with the authors' clinicalrecommendations.
Patient 1, a 44-year-old man who recently immigrated from Peru,is found to have induration of 16 mm in diameter on a tuberculinskin test. He received bacille CalmetteGuérin(BCG) vaccine as an infant and is asymptomatic. Chest radiographyshows fibronodular opacities in the upper lobe. Patient 2, a27-year-old schoolteacher who was born in the United States,has induration of 17 . . . [Full Text of this Article]
The Clinical Problem
Strategies and Evidence
Identifying Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Who Should Be Tested?
The Tuberculin Skin Test
Whole-Blood Interferon-Gamma Assay
Ruling out Active Tuberculosis
Treatment Regimens for Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Isoniazid
Rifampin
Rifampin and Pyrazinamide
Areas of Uncertainty
Guidelines
Determining Whom to Treat
Treatment Regimens
Conclusions and Recommendations
Source Information
From the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco both in San Francisco.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Jasmer at the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, Rm. 5K-1, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110, or at rjasmer@itsa.ucsf.edu.
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