What is the treatment for latent TB infection?

What is the treatment for latent TB infection?

• A. Isoniazid + pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
• B. Rifampin alone
• C. Pyrazinamide
• D. Ethambutol

Answer: (A)

Treating latent TB infection aims to prevent reactivation in someone who is infected but asymptomatic. Isoniazid is the standard preventive agent because it effectively reduces the risk of progressing to active TB by inhibiting mycobacterial cell-wall synthesis. Giving pyridoxine (vitamin B6) with isoniazid protects against neuropathy, a known side effect of isoniazid that is more likely in people with malnutrition, diabetes, alcoholism, HIV, or advanced age. The usual approach is several months of daily isoniazid with vitamin B6 (commonly 6–9 months, with 9 months often favored for durability of protection). Other drugs listed are not the classic first-line preventive therapy for latent infection. Rifampin can be used as an alternative regimen in certain scenarios, but the combination of isoniazid with pyridoxine remains the standard, especially in exams, because it directly targets latent bacilli and includes neuropathy prevention. Pyrazinamide and ethambutol are typically used in active TB treatment rather than for latent infection.

Treating latent TB infection aims to prevent reactivation in someone who is infected but asymptomatic. Isoniazid is the standard preventive agent because it effectively reduces the risk of progressing to active TB by inhibiting mycobacterial cell-wall synthesis. Giving pyridoxine (vitamin B6) with isoniazid protects against neuropathy, a known side effect of isoniazid that is more likely in people with malnutrition, diabetes, alcoholism, HIV, or advanced age. The usual approach is several months of daily isoniazid with vitamin B6 (commonly 6–9 months, with 9 months often favored for durability of protection).

Other drugs listed are not the classic first-line preventive therapy for latent infection. Rifampin can be used as an alternative regimen in certain scenarios, but the combination of isoniazid with pyridoxine remains the standard, especially in exams, because it directly targets latent bacilli and includes neuropathy prevention. Pyrazinamide and ethambutol are typically used in active TB treatment rather than for latent infection.