Asymptomatic tuberculosis: moving beyond symptom-oriented prevention and control strategies
10.19485/j.cnki.issn2096-5087.2026.07.001
- Author:
GE Shijia
;
LI Yang
;
ZHANG Wenhong
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
asymptomatic tuberculosis;
tuberculosis;
prevention and control;
strategy
- From:
Journal of Preventive Medicine
2026;38(7):649-651
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Abstract:Tuberculosis constitutes a major global public health concern. With the widespread implementation of active screening, asymptomatic tuberculosis patients as a hidden source of infection has drawn increasing attention. This paper reviews the definition, epidemiological and transmission risks, active case-finding strategies, and research progress in short-course treatment of asymptomatic tuberculosis. It also analyzes the challenges, including inconsistent diagnostic criteria, excessive reliance on symptom-based assessment, insufficient implementation of objective detection methods in primary healthcare settings, and poor patient adherence to treatment and follow-up. It is necessary to abandon the symptom-oriented prevention and control strategy, accelerate the formulation of unified diagnostic criteria, promote the large-scale application of objective detection technologies in primary healthcare settings, and continuously optimize short-course treatment regimens. It is also necessary to strengthen the screening for latent tuberculosis infection and the development of novel vaccines, build a multi-dimensional, full-chain prevention and control system to achieve the goal of ending tuberculosis epidemic.
- Full text:2026111209041403218无症状结核病：摒弃症状导向的防控策略.pdf
