Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is an asymptomatic condition that may progress to active tuberculosis (TB), sometimes decades after exposure.
Most people with active TB in Australia have not had recent contact and were unaware of their risk.
Managing LTBI in general practice settings
Since 2018, the Victorian Tuberculosis Program and South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) have collaborated to implement Tuberculosis screening, management and prevention in General Practice in the local government areas of Casey and Greater Dandenong.
The project piloted a model for LTBI management which can be effectively used in GP settings. People tested for LTBI under this project were found to have high rates of LTBI, and successful treatment completion without referral to tertiary care centres. A summary of these pilot findings can provided by contacting the VTP.
In 2021-2023, this program has been expanded to include additional GP clinics across the SEMPHN region. This expanded program has drawn on the findings from the pilot project in continuing to overcome barriers to ensure safe and effective community access to LTBI diagnosis and treatment.
Participating GP clinics
Management of latent tuberculosis, including testing and treatment where appropriate, is available through participating clinics (listed below), with support from the Victorian Tuberculosis Program.
Contact clinics directly with referrals or requests for appointments.
Want to find out more?
Contact us if your practice is interested in participating in this program.
Currently, enrolment is limited to practices within the SEMPHN region.
Managing LTBI in community settings
A/Prof Justin Denholm, Medical Director of Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Victorian Tuberculosis Program at the Doherty Institute, presents a five-part video series aimed at Australian General Practitioners about managing latent tuberculosis (TB) in community settings.
These videos are a resource for GPs in Australia, to give them the tools to identify latent TB and safely and effectively prevent active TB in at-risk communities.
Managing latent tuberculosis in the community
What is latent tuberculosis, and why is it important in Australia? This video provides a short overview of TB and LTBI, including introducing an algorithm for general practice management.
A/Prof Justin Denholm, Medical Director of Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Victorian Tuberculosis Program at the Doherty Institute, presents a five-part series aimed at Australian General Practitioners about managing latent tuberculosis (TB) in community settings.
How to diagnosis latent tuberculosis infection
A/Prof Justin Denholm, Medical Director of Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Victorian Tuberculosis Program at the Doherty Institute, presents a five-part series aimed at Australian General Practitioners about managing latent tuberculosis (TB) in community settings.
Initiating treatment for latent tuberculosis
A/Prof Justin Denholm, Medical Director of Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Victorian Tuberculosis Program at the Doherty Institute, presents a five-part series aimed at Australian General Practitioners about managing latent tuberculosis (TB) in community settings.
Follow up and monitoring your patient with latent tuberculosis
A/Prof Justin Denholm, Medical Director of Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Victorian Tuberculosis Program at the Doherty Institute, presents a five-part series aimed at Australian General Practitioners about managing latent tuberculosis (TB) in community settings.
Next steps once LTBI treatment is finished
A/Prof Justin Denholm, Medical Director of Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Victorian Tuberculosis Program at the Doherty Institute, presents a five-part series aimed at Australian General Practitioners about managing latent tuberculosis (TB) in community settings.