What does it mean to have latent tb infection (ltbi)?

Dormant: It means that the person carries the bacteria that cause TB in a dormant stage, typically no symptoms are noted, and it is a non contagious state. In contrast, when TB is active, there is a raging fight with TB having the upper hand, several symptoms are noted, the person is usually coughing and transmitting the disease.

Dormant infection: Latent TB means you have been exposed to TB somehow, and its dormant (sleeping) in your body, suppressed by your immune system, but not fully removed.