The global prevalence of latent tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that one-third of the world's population had latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), which was recently updated to one-fourth. However, this is still based on controversial assumptions in combination with tuberculin skin test (TST) surveys. Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) with a higher specificity than TST have since been widely implemented, but never used to estimate the global LTBI prevalence.We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of LTBI estimates based on both IGRA and TST results published between 2005 and 2018. Regional and global estimates of LTBI prevalence were calculated. Stratification was performed for low, intermediate and high…

• H
  Hjärt-Lungfonden

  Award: 20150236
• NN
  Novo Nordisk

  Award: NNF15OC0018034
• FO
  Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd

  Award: 201602043