2018 Belgian guidelines for the screening for latent tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients.

Objectives

To review the current knowledge on screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in HIV-infected adults and provide specific guidelines for Belgium. Focus is given to who to test, which testing method to use, timing of screening and choice of LTBI treatment.

Methods

Expert review by the members of the Belgian LTBI group, in consultancy with the ARC College.

Results

Target population, timing of screening, testing method, active TB exclusion, treatment of LTBI and guideline implementation are all reviewed.

Conclusions

The principal changes include a selective approach to screen for LTBI (screening only of the HIV-infected patients at highest risk of active TB) as well as the timing of screening (testing for LTBI performed only after immune-restauration by antiretroviral therapy).