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Reporting
Since November 14, 2018, latent TB infection (LTBI) has been reportable in Virginia among persons of any age and not just in children younger than four years of age. Diagnosing tuberculosis infection requires that active TB has been ruled out. Results of a test for TB infection (tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release assay) as well as chest x-ray results and a lack of active TB symptoms should be included in morbidity reports. TB infection is also reportable by directors of laboratories.
View the Health Commissioner Update: Disease Regulations Update.
- Download a LTBI Case Report Form. Once complete, please either fax (804-416-5178) or send via encrypted email to tuberculosis@vdh.virginia.gov.
- Find contact information for your local health department.
- Tuberculosis Disease and Tuberculosis Infection Reporting Guidance in Virginia
For Local Health Districts:
- LTBI Reporting Guidance for Local Health Districts (UPDATED 1/31/2023)
- LTBI Case Report Form - August 2022
- LTBI Case Report Form Email/Fax Template - August 2022
- Slides from LTBI Reporting Update 2/13/2020
- Recording of LTBI Reporting Update Polycom 2/13/2020
- LTBI Completion Card (Print double sided on card-stock)
Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Patient and Provider Toolkit
If you would like to order copies of the following materials, please complete this form.
- Patient Brochure
- Patient Resource Guide
- Patient Flyer
Testing
There are two kinds of tests that are used to detect TB bacteria in the body: the TB skin test (TST) and TB blood tests. A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only tells that a person has been infected with TB bacteria. It does not tell whether the person has latent TB infection (LTBI) or has progressed to TB disease. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray and a sample of sputum (if symptomatic), are needed to see whether the person has TB disease. -CDC, 2018
Treatment
People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms, and they cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if latent TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease. For this reason, people with latent TB infection should be treated to prevent them from developing TB disease.
- Treatment of latent TB infection is essential to controlling TB in the United States because it substantially reduces the risk that latent TB infection will progress to TB disease. In the United States, up to 13 million people may have latent TB infection. Without treatment, on average 1 in 10 people with latent TB infection will get sick with TB disease in the future. The risk is higher for people with HIV, diabetes, or other conditions that affect the immune system. More than 80% of people who get sick with TB disease in the United States each year get sick from untreated latent TB infection.
- Treatment of latent TB infection should start after excluding the possibility of TB disease.
- As of 2018, there are four CDC-recommended treatment regimens for latent TB infection that use isoniazid (INH), rifapentine (RPT), and/or rifampin (RIF). All the regimens are effective. Healthcare providers should prescribe the more convenient shorter regimens, when possible. Patients are more likely to complete shorter treatment regimens. Treatment must be modified if the patient is a contact of an individual with drug-resistant TB disease. -CDC, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE) has partnered with Medscape, a leading online resource for physicians and healthcare professionals, to produce an expert video commentary featuring DTBE Director, Dr. Philip LoBue. The video provides information for physicians on the new updated recommendations for use of once-weekly isoniazid-rifapentine for 12 weeks (3HP)for treatment of latent TB infection. Dr. LoBue discusses the updated recommendation, as well as available DTBE resources for healthcare providers. The video is a great way to share information with healthcare providers on the 12-dose regimen and the importance of latent TB infection treatment. You can find the video online: Once-Weekly Isoniazid-Rifapentine for 12 Weeks (3HP) Video
- Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Regimens
- Isoniazid and Rifapentine (3HP) and 3HP Medication Tracker
- 3 Months of Isoniazid and Rifampin (3HR) Medication Tracker
- Rifampin and 4 Months of Rifampin Medication Tracker
- Isoniazid
- 12-Dose Regimen for Latent Tuberculosis (TB) Infection; also available from the CDC in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese
- NEW! Testing and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in the United States: Clinical Recommendations (NTCA/NTSC, 2021). Download a copy of the recommendations from the National TB Controllers Association website, or directly here (registration required to download).
- Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers (CDC, 2020)
- Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Children and Adolescents: A Guide for the Primary Care Provider (GTBI 2020)
- Guidelines for the Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Recommendations from NTCA and CDC, 2020
- Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults – US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement (2016)
- Update of Recommendations for Use of Once-Weekly Isoniazid-Rifapentine Regimen to Treat Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection (2018)
- NTCA Provider Guidance on 3HP
- Frequently Asked Questions on the 12-Dose Regimen (3HP) - CDC
- Recommendations for Use of an Isoniazid-Rifapentine Regimen with Direct Observation to Treat Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection (2011)
- Three months of weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid is less hepatotoxic than nine months of daily isoniazid for LTBI (2015)
- Targeted Tuberculin Testing and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (MMWR, 2000)
- TB Free California and Curry International Tuberculosis Center LTBI Videos for Healthcare Providers
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