Tuberculosis

CDC Updates 2011 TB Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated their 2011 recommendations for the treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection.

In 2011, the CDC recommended a short-course of once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine combination treatment for 12 weeks (3HP) by directly observed therapy (DOT), noting limitations for use in children younger than age 12 years and among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

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Now, along with its existing recommendation for 3HP of latent TB infection in adults, the CDC also recommends the use of 3HP in the following populations:

  • Individuals with latent TB infection aged 2 to 17 years.
  • Individuals with latent TB infection who also have HIV infection, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and are receiving antiretroviral treatment with acceptable drug-drug interactions with rifapentine.
  • Among individuals aged 2 years and older via DOT or self-administered therapy.

These recommendations emerged from a 2017 systematic review and meta-analyses of 19 articles representing 15 unique studies that had assessed the 3HP regimen.

Ultimately, the CDC Work Group that performed the review found that 3HP is as safe and effective as other recommended treatment regimens for latent TB infection and is associated with substantially higher treatment completion rates.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Borisov AS, Morris SB, Njie GJ, et al. Update of recommendations for use of once-weekly isoniazid-rifapentine regimen to treat latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67:723-726. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6725a5