Targeting Non-Replicating <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> and Latent Infection: Alternatives and Perspectives (Mini-Review)

Abstract

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) represents a major challenge to curing TB disease. Current guidelines for LTBI management include only three older drugs and their combinations—isoniazid and rifamycins (rifampicin and rifapentine). These available control strategies have little impact on latent TB elimination, and new specific therapeutics are urgently needed. In the present mini-review, we highlight some of the alternatives that may potentially be included in LTBI treatment recommendations and a list of early-stage prospective small molecules that act on drug targets specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis latency.

Keywords

• latent tuberculosis infection
• dormant <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>
• LTBI treatment
• anti-TB drugs