The following persons are at high risk for progression from LTBI to TB disease:
- Persons infected with HIV (20-30 times more likely to develop active TB)
- Persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis within the past two years
- Persons with untreated or inadequately treated TB disease
- Infants and children <4 years of age (Babies and young children often have weak immune systems)
- Persons with chronic medical conditions or immunocompromising conditions including:
- Substance abuse
- Silicosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Severe kidney disease
- Low body weight
- Organ transplants
- Head and neck cancer
- Medical treatments such as corticosteroids or organ transplant
- Specialized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease
The clinical conditions associated with high risk for progression from LTBI to TB are silicosis, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, leukemias, lymphomas, specific malignancies (carcinoma of the head, neck, or lungs), body weight > 10% below ideal weight, prolonged corticosteroid use, other immunosuppressive treatments, organ transplant, end-stage renal disease, intestinal bypass or gastrectomy.