Asymptomatic TB With Innovative Modified Short-course Regimens

This study is a randomized controlled trial among asymptomatic tuberculosis individuals aiming to assess whether the standard treatment duration can be shortened to 17 weeks without increasing the types or doses of anti-tuberculosis medications or 13 weeks with the high-dose rifapentine and moxifloxacin.

This study is a prospective, open-label, multicenter randomized controlled trial. The randomization process will use centralized stratified block randomization to minimize bias across province of participating sites.

Asymptomatic tuberculosis individuals included in the study will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to three groups: Standard Regimen Group, Four-month Regimen Group or Three-month Regimen Group. The standard regimen consists of rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z), and ethambutol (E) for 8 weeks, followed by rifampicin and isoniazid for an additional 18 weeks. The four-month regimen group follows the same regimen as the standard regimen group for the initial 8 weeks, followed by a continuation phase of daily rifampin (R) and isoniazid (H) for 9 weeks. The three-month regimen consists of high-dose rifapentine (P), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z), and moxifloxacin (M) for 8 weeks, followed high-dose Rifapentine (P), isoniazid (H), and moxifloxacin (M) for 5 weeks. For individuals in the four-month and the three-month regimen group, the treatment response will be evaluated at the end of the treatment phase. If the sputum culture remains positive at week 8, or if the radiological examination at the end of treatment still shows unclosed cavities, the continuation phase treatment will be extended by an additional 8 weeks.