Research progress on latent tuberculosis infection in patients with hematological malignancies

doi:10.19982/j.issn.1000-6621.20250466

Abstract

Abstract:

Tuberculosis remains a global public health threat, with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) affecting nearly one in four individuals worldwide. While current control efforts appropriately target high-risk populations, LTBI has been extensively characterized in most immunocompromised groups-yet it remains markedly under-investigated in patients with haematological malignancies (HM). The profound immunosuppression intrinsic to the underlying disease, intensified by high-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem-cell transplant conditioning, drives LTBI prevalence in this cohort well above that of the general population. Moreover, LTBI itself is increasingly recognized as an independent contributor to both the incidence and mortality of HM, underscoring the imperative for heightened clinical vigilance. This review synthesizes the contemporary evidence on LTBI in HM patients, providing an evidence-based framework to guide screening, diagnosis, and preventive therapy, and delineates the critical knowledge gaps that continue to impede optimal patient care.

Key words: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Infection, Hematologic neoplasms, Comorbidity, Review

CLC Number:

Hu Xinyang, Liu Yang, Gao Jingtao. Research progress on latent tuberculosis infection in patients with hematological malignancies[J]. Chinese Journal of Antituberculosis, 2026, 48(5): 694-699. doi: 10.19982/j.issn.1000-6621.20250466

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