Tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) has long been considered one of the most important public health tools for protecting individuals and communities from TB, especially in countries where the disease is widespread. The World Health Organization has made TPT a critical part of its plan to end the global TB epidemic by 2035.
However, new research indicates that the protection offered by TPT starts to decline after about one year in high-burden settings. This suggests the durability of preventive therapy may be more limited than previously assumed, which could affect how and when such treatment is deployed.
The study underscores the need for ongoing evaluation of TPT programs in regions with high transmission rates. It also highlights the importance of pairing preventive treatment with other measures, such as active case finding and treatment of infectious TB, to maintain progress toward global elimination targets.