Alternatives to isoniazid monotherapy for preventing active tuberculosis in HIV-negative persons

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is caused by a bacterial infection that affects an estimated two billion people (about a third of the world's population). However, most people have dormant (latent) infections and only a small percentage of people infected with TB will develop an active disease. Preventing latent TB infection (LTBI) developing into active TB, through the use of drugs, is an important part of global TB control. Treatment with the drug isoniazid for six months is recommended, but the treatment period is long, it can cause liver damage, and only about half of the people who start this drug treatment complete it.