Screening for latent tuberculosis infection （LTBI）in high ⁃ risk populations and providing preventive treatment for LTBI are important tools to reduce morbidity and achieve the global strategy to stop TB. At present，the burden of LTBI and its epidemic characteristics as well as the status quo of preventive treatment are still unclear. Relevant studies are still in the exploratory stage，and no mature intervention strategies have been formed yet. The present status，existing problems and suggestions of screening and preventive treatment of LTBI were systematically expounded，so as to provide a basis for the formulation of prevention and treatment strategies of LTBI and preventive treatment.