Prognosis of tuberculous meningitis: a multivariate analysis

Extensive Vasculitis in Tuberculous Meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis causes substantial morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. The various complications reported are hydrocephalus, vasculitic infarcts, tuberculomas, abscesses, and optochiasmatic arachnoiditis. Vasculitis in tuberculosis is basically at the level of lenticulostriate arteries supplying the basal ganglia and terminal cortical branches. In this case report, we present a rare case of tuberculous meningitis with extensive vasculopathy. During hospitalization, she developed acute onset right-sided classical hemiplegia with the inability to speak due to left internal carotid artery occlusion on imaging. The cerebrospinal fluid depicted very high protein levels. The exact pathogenesis of such extensive involvement in tuberculous meningitis substantiates the need for further studies.

Clinicoepidemiological Profile and Prognostic Factors in Neurotuberculosis in Children

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the clinicoepidemiological profile and prognostic factors in children with neurotuberculosis.Methods: An observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital on 50 children diagnosed with neurotuberculosis. The demographic profile, clinical details, and all investigations were recorded on a predetermined form and datasheet for analysis, and disability severity was graded using the modified Rankin Scale.Results: Fifty patients were enrolled (male-to-female ratio, 1.08:1). Younger children (1 to 3 years) were more commonly affected. Most patients were malnourished, and only 58% had been immunized with the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine. Fever was the most common symptom (96%) followed by headache, altered consciousness, vomiting, seizures, and abnormal posture. On cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, 87% of patients showed pleocytosis with lymphocytic predominance. More than 80% of patients had CSF protein levels >100 mg/dL and CSF glucose levels <60 mg/dL. Common findings on neuroimaging were hydrocephalus (76%), basal meningeal enhancement (60%), basal exudates (52%), and parenchymal infarcts (32%). We noted a mortality rate of 40%, of whom 87.5% had modified British Medical Research Council (BMRC) stage 3 tubercular meningitis (TBM). All patients who survived stage 3 TBM had a severe disability, and over 50% of patients with stage 2 TBM had moderate to severe disabilities.Conclusion: Young age, lower socioeconomic status, BMRC stages 2 and 3, abnormal posture, hydrocephalus, and the presence of basal exudates were associated with poor outcomes. High suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and prevention of disability and mortality.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Cranial Nerve Palsy in Patients with Tuberculous Meningitis: A Retrospective Evaluation

Objective

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a common form of central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis (TB). Cranial nerve palsy is a serious complication of TBM. Literature regarding this subject is still limited in China. This study evaluated the incidence of cranial nerve palsy in patients with TBM in South China, its association with the clinical forms of TB, and other patient characteristics.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients with a diagnosis of TBM between January 2004 and December 2019 was conducted, and the demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory results of 114 patients were collected and followed up for 3 months. A multivariate logistic regression analysis model was used to explore the risk factors of cranial nerve palsy in patients with TBM.

Results

A total of 114 patients were enrolled in this study. Cranial nerve palsy was observed in approximately 38 (33.3%) of TBM patients. Among them, 13 (28.3%) had optic nerve palsy, 24 (52.2%) had oculomotor nerve palsy, 5 (10.9%) had abducens nerve palsy, 2 (4.3%) had auditory nerve palsy, 1 (2.2%) had glossopharyngeal nerve palsy, and 1 (2.2%) had vagus nerve palsy. Using logistic regression analysis, focal neurological deficit, extracranial TB and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total white cell count (WCC) were shown to be risk factors for cranial nerve palsy.

Conclusion

The prevalence rate of cranial nerve palsy was 33.3% in patients with TBM. Focal neurological deficits, extracranial TB and CSF total WCC are important predictors of cranial nerve palsy in patients with TBM.

High cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentration at 48 h of hospital admission predicts poor outcomes in patients with tuberculous meningitis: A multicenter retrospective cohort study

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters affecting the outcomes of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).

Methods

This is a multi-center, retrospective, cohort study involving 81 patients who were diagnosed with TBM and treated in Haihe Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, and General Hospital of Air Force PLA from January 2016 to December 2019. Baseline data, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and clinical presentations of all patients were collected at admission. CSF samples were collected at 48 h, 1, 2, and 3 weeks after admission. CSF lactate, adenosine deaminase, chloride, protein, glucose levels and intracranial pressure were measured. After a follow-up of 16.14 ± 3.03 months, all patients were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and divided into good (mRS scores of 0–2 points) and poor outcome groups (mRS scores of 3–6 points). The differences in patients' baseline data, GCS score, clinical presentations, and levels of CSF parameters detected at 48 h, 1, 2, and 3 weeks after admission between two groups were compared. Statistically significant variables were added to the binary logistic regression model to identify the factors impacting the outcomes of patients with TBM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive ability of the model.

Results

The CSF lactate level exhibited a decreasing trend within 3 weeks of admission in the two groups. For the within-group comparison, statistically significant differences in the lactate level was found in both groups between four different time points. A binary logistic regression model revealed that CSF lactate level at 48 h after admission, age, and GSC score on admission were independently associated with the outcomes of patients with TBM. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.786 for the CSF lactate level (48 h), 0.814 for GCS score, and 0.764 for age.

Conclusion

High CSF lactate level at 48 h after admission is one of the important factors for poor outcomes in patients with TBM.

Tuberculous meningitis in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

Although the elderly population remains at high risk for tuberculosis, studies addressing tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in this age group are scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the spectrum and outcome of geriatric TBM and document differences between older and young patients.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted in the adult TBM patients admitted at PGIMER, Chandigarh (India). Consecutive older patients aged 60 years and above were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2020, and young adults aged 18-59 years were enrolled from July 2019 to December 2019.

RESULTS

Fifty-five older patients with a mean age of 66.6 years and 73 young patients with a mean age of 35.1 years were enrolled. At admission, older patients were more likely to have altered mental status (96.4% vs. 78.1%, P = 0.003) and advanced disease with British medical research council staging 2 or 3 (98.2% vs. 89.0%, P = 0.043); however, headache (38.2% vs. 67.1%, P = 0.001), vomiting (18.2% vs. 35.6%, P = 0.030) and fever (80.0% vs. 91.8%, P = 0.052) were less common. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities were less marked in older patients, with a significant difference in median total cells (70 vs. 110/µl, P = 0.013). Hydrocephalous and infarct were common neuroimaging abnormalities in both groups; however, tuberculomas were significantly less in the elderly (15.1% vs. 35.2%, P = 0.012). Older patients had a significantly low survival rate (56.4% vs. 76.7%, P = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in clinical, CSF and radiological characteristics exist between elderly and young TBM patients, with survival remains dismal in the elderly.

Clinical Outcome of Tuberculous Meningitis with Hydrocephalus - A Retrospective Study

Background

To study the clinical outcome of tuberculous meningitis with hydrocephalus (TBMH) and the factors contributing to its poor clinical outcome.

Methods

Clinical data of 143 adult patients diagnosed with TBM over a 6-year period in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant clinical and radiological data were studied. Patients with TBMH were further analysed based on their clinical grade and rendered treatment to identify associated factors and outcome of this subgroup of patients. The functional outcome of patients was assessed at 12 months from treatment.

Results

The mean age of patients was 35.6 (12.4) years old, with a male gender predominance of 67.1%. Forty-four percent had TBMH, of which 42.9% had surgical intervention. In the good modified Vellore grade, 76.5% was managed medically with concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), steroids and osmotic agents. Four patients had surgery early in the disease as they did not respond to medical therapy and reported a good outcome subsequently. Poor outcome (65.2%) was seen in the poor modified Vellore grade despite medical and surgical intervention. Multivariate model multiple Cox regression showed significant results for seizure (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 15.05; 95% CI: 3.73, 60.78), Glasgow coma scale (GCS) (aHR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.89) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count (aHR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.17).

Conclusion

Hydrocephalus was seen in 44% of patients in this study. GCS score, seizure and high CSF cell count were factors associated with a poor prognosis in TBM. Patients with TBMH treated medically (TBMHM) had better survival function compared to TBMH patients undergoing surgical intervention (TBMHS) (P-value < 0.001). This retrospective study emphasises that TBMH is still a serious illness as 47.6% of the patients had poor outcome despite adequate treatment.

Comparison of patterns of infarction in TB and cryptococcal meningitis

BACKGROUND

To compare the frequency and patterns of stroke, the specificity of tubercular zone (TBZ) infarction and its effect on outcomes in TB (TBM) and cryptococcal meningitis (CM).

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at two tertiary centres in India from May 2018 to July 2020. Sixty-one patients with TBM and 22 with CM were included. The primary outcome was the proportions of TBM and CM patients with infarction. Secondary outcomes included the anatomical locations of infarction and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Infarction was noted in 52.5% of patients with TBM and in 54.5% of those with CM (p=0.87), with caudate head infarcts in 9.4% vs 41.7% (p=0.01), cerebellar in 9.4% vs 33.3% (p=0.05), thalamic in 25% vs 0% and lobar in 28.1% vs 0%, respectively. In TBM, the infarcts were located in the TBZ in 3 (9.4%), in the ischaemic zone in 23 (71.9%), while 6 (18.8%) patients showed infarcts in both, while in CM, the infarcts were in 0 (0%), 6 (50%) and 6 (50%) patients, respectively. Infarcts were not associated with in-hospital mortality, either in TBM or CM.

CONCLUSION

Caudate head and cerebellar infarction was more common in CM, while thalamic and lobar infarcts were more frequent in TBM. TBZ infarcts were not specific to TBM.

Inclusion of Mechanical Ventilation in Severity Staging of Tuberculous Meningitis Improves Outcome Prediction

Patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in any stage of the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) scale, if requiring mechanical ventilation (MV), are likely to have a poor outcome. We report the usefulness of BMRC, BMRC-MV, and BMRC-hydrocephalus (BMRC-HC) staging, and Haydarpasa Meningitis Severity Index (HAMSI) scoring in predicting the outcome of TBM. One hundred ninety-seven TBM patients were analyzed from a prospectively maintained TBM registry. The severity of meningitis was categorized using BMRC (stages I-III), BMRC-MV (I-IV [MV patients were grouped as stage IV]), and BMRC-HC (I-IV [BMRC stage III patients with hydrocephalus were grouped as stage IV]). Haydarpasa Meningitis Severity Index scoring was categorized as < 6 and ≥ 6. The outcome was defined at 6 months using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) as death, poor (mRS score > 2), or good (mRS score ≤ 2). Forty-nine (25%) patients died. BMRC-mechanical ventilation stage IV had the highest predictive value for defining death, with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 86%. About 81.7% of surviving patients had a good outcome at 6 months. BMRC-mechanical ventilation stages I-III had the highest predictive value for defining good outcome, with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 61%. In TBM, BMRC-MV staging has the best predictive value for defining death and disability.

Derivation of a bedside score (MASH-P) to predict 6-month mortality in tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

Tuberculous meningitis is commonly associated with a poor outcome. Simple bedside prognostic scores can help immensely in predicting the outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A total of 721 patients, from 5 of our previous studies, were included. With primary outcome measure as death, a prognostic model was derived using binary logistic regression. The model was assessed using discrimination and calibration, and internally validated using the bootstrap method. A bedside prognostic score was derived by rounding of the regression coefficients to the nearest integers.

RESULTS

A total of 126 (17.48%) patients died. The final model found that higher age, stage III disease, baseline MBI ≤ 12, papilledema and hydrocephalus were significant predictors of death. The final model showed good discrimination as evident by an AUC = 83.1% (95% confidence interval 79.5%-86.7%, P < .001) and good calibration (Hosmer and Lemeshow test P = .579). The model remained valid after internal validation by boot strapping. A simple bedside score with the acronym MASH-P to denote variables baseline MBI (M), age (A), stage (S), hydrocephalus (H) and papilledema (P), was thus derived. The score can range from 0 to 10. Higher the score, higher is the probability of death; a score of 0 carries a predicted probability of just 1.7% while a score of 10 corresponds to a predicted probability of 65%. An electronic ready reckoner has also been developed to aid prognostication on the go.

CONCLUSION

MASH-P is a simple prognostic scoring model that can be used at bedside and aid in decision making as well as counselling.

Ophthalmological manifestation in patients of tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

Vision impairment, blindness in particular is a devastating complication in patients with tuberculous meningitis. However, information regarding ophthalmological manifestation and its impact on vision is sparse in the literature. This study evaluated the spectrum of ophthalmological manifestations in tuberculous meningitis, including retinal nerve fiber layer thickness assessment by optic coherence tomography and its correlation with visual and clinical outcome.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study done from October 2015 to March 2017. Consecutive patients of tuberculous meningitis, diagnosed as per consensus case definition were included in the study. The patients were divided into two categories: uncomplicated and complicated tuberculous meningitis. Clinical evaluation, cerebrospinal fluid examination and contrast enhanced MRI of brain was done. Detailed ophthalmological evaluation including optic coherence tomography was done in all patients. All the patients were followed for 6 months. The primary outcome was blindness or low vision after 6 months. The secondary outcome was death or severe disability after 6 months. It was defined as modified Barthel index (MBI) ≤ 12 at 6 months (including disability plus death). Appropriate statistical analysis was done.

RESULTS

Out of 101 patients of tuberculous meningitis, 47 patients of TBM belonged to uncomplicated category, while 54 patients were of complicated group. The visual impairment was present in 24 out of 101 (23.76%) patients out of which 20 (19.8%) patients had low vision while 4 (3.96%) had blindness. The visual impairment was more evident in complicated group, low vision 0.03 (1.2-31.5). The most common abnormality on fundus examination was papilledema (22.8%). The complicated group had more incidence <0.0001 (19.6-48). Optic atrophy was found in three patients while choroid tubercles were found in eight patients (all complicated TBM group). RNFL thinning was noted in 10 patients in both the eyes. On univariate analysis, presence of diplopia at baseline, impairment of color vision at baseline, visual impairment at baseline, cranial nerve VIth involvement, optic atrophy and papilledema at baseline, RNFL thinning, abnormal VEP and baseline MBI were associated with poor visual outcome. On multivariate analysis, none of the factors were found to be independently associated with poor visual outcome. On univariate analysis, many factors including baseline MRC staging, altered sensorium, seizure, hemiparesis, basal exudates, infarcts, optochiasmaticarachnoiditis, visual impairment at baseline were found to be associated with poor clinical outcome at 6 months. On multivariate analysis, presence of seizure (P = 0.047, odds ratio = 78.59, 95% confidence interval (1.07-578.72)) was the only factor found to be independently associated with poor outcome.

CONCLUSION

Wide spectrum of ophthalmological manifestation was observed in patients of tuberculous meningitis. The visual impairment was more evident in complicated tuberculous meningitis. Ophthalmological findings like optic atrophy, papilledema and RNFL thinning were associated with poor visual outcome on univariate but not multivariate analysis. Visual impairment at baseline, among other factors was associated with poor clinical outcome on univariate analysis, whereas seizure was the only factor independently associated with poor outcome on multivariate analysis.

Paradoxical reaction in HIV-negative tuberculous meningitis patients with spinal involvement

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of paradoxical reaction (PR) in HIV-negative tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients with spinal involvement, as well as its possible risk factors.

METHODS

Fifty TBM patients with spinal involvement were studied retrospectively and divided into a PR group and a non-PR group according to the presence of PR. Their demographic, clinical, radiological, and laboratory data, and status at follow-up were collected and compared.

RESULTS

PR developed in 26 patients (52%), with the median time to the development of PR being 30days (range 15-330 days) after the initiation of tuberculosis therapy. At initial diagnosis, age, documented acid-fast bacilli (AFB), and the cerebrospinal fluid protein level were found to differ significantly between the two groups. After multivariate analysis, age, documented AFB, and vertebral involvement were significantly associated with the development of PR.

CONCLUSIONS

PR was common in TBM patients with spinal involvement. Age, documented AFB, and musculoskeletal involvement may be predictors of PR development.

Hypovolemia due to cerebral salt wasting may contribute to stroke in tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

Both stroke and cerebral salt wasting (CSW) are common in tuberculous meningitis (TBM), but there is paucity of studies evaluating their combined effect.

AIM

The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the spectrum of stroke in TBM and its relation to CSW.

DESIGN

Hospital-based prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Eighty-one patients with TBM diagnosed on the basis of clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria were prospectively included. Stroke was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, MRI findings or both. Stroke risk factors were noted. Patients with hyponatremia were categorized into CSW and other causes. Three and 6 months outcome was defined using modified Rankin Scale (mRS) as good (<2) or poor (≥2).

RESULTS

Out of 81 patients with TBM, 32 (39.5%) had ischemic stroke. CSW was the commonest cause of hyponatremia and occurred in 34 (42%) patients. Stroke occurred in tubercular zone in 10, ischemic zone in 15 and both in 7 patients. The patients with ischemic zone infarction were older and had stroke risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Out of 16 (47%) patients with CSW, 10 (62.5%) had stroke during the polyuric phase. The patients with CSW had more frequent deep white matter infarcts (P = 0.01) which were in internal border zone in 4 (40%).

CONCLUSION

In TBM, stroke occurred in 39.5% of the patients, 50% of whom had CSW. Volume contraction due to CSW may contribute to stroke.

Prognostic Models for 9-Month Mortality in Tuberculous Meningitis

Background

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We developed and validated prognostic models for 9-month mortality in adults with TBM, with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Methods

We included 1699 subjects from 4 randomized clinical trials and 1 prospective observational study conducted at 2 major referral hospitals in Southern Vietnam from 2001-2015. Modeling was based on multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. The final prognostic models were validated internally and temporally and were displayed using nomograms and a Web-based app (https://thaole.shinyapps.io/tbmapp/).

Results

951 HIV-uninfected and 748 HIV-infected subjects with TBM were included; 219 of 951 (23.0%) and 384 of 748 (51.3%) died during 9-month follow-up. Common predictors for increased mortality in both populations were higher Medical Research Council (MRC) disease severity grade and lower cerebrospinal fluid lymphocyte cell count. In HIV-uninfected subjects, older age, previous tuberculosis, not receiving adjunctive dexamethasone, and focal neurological signs were additional risk factors; in HIV-infected subjects, lower weight, lower peripheral blood CD4 cell count, and abnormal plasma sodium were additional risk factors. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the final prognostic models were 0.77 (HIV-uninfected population) and 0.78 (HIV-infected population), demonstrating better discrimination than the MRC grade (AUC, 0.66 and 0.70) or Glasgow Coma Scale score (AUC, 0.68 and 0.71) alone.

Conclusions

The developed models showed good performance and could be used in clinical practice to assist physicians in identifying patients with TBM at high risk of death and with increased need of supportive care.

Clinical and radiological predictors of outcome in tubercular meningitis: A prospective study of 209 patients

OBJECTIVES

The predictors of poor outcome in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remain to be delineated. We determined role of various clinical, radiological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in prediction of outcome in TBM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Current study was a prospective observational study including 209 patients of TBM. All patients underwent detailed evaluation including Gadolinium enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (GdMRI) of brain as well as tests to detect evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in body. They also underwent GdMRI at three and nine month follow up. All patients received treatment as per standard guidelines.

RESULTS

Mean age was 30.4±13.8years. 139 (66.5%) patients had definite TBM while 70 (34.5%) had highly probable TBM. 53 (25.4%) patients died. On univariate analysis, longer duration of illness, altered sensorium, stage III TBM, hydrocephalus and exudates correlated with poor outcome. On multivariate analysis presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.003; OR=3.2; 95% CI=1.5-6.7) and stage III TBM (p<0.0001; OR=8.7; 95% CI=3.7-20.2) correlated with higher risk of mortality. In addition, there was significant positive association between presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.05; OR=2.2; 95% CI=0.97-5.1), stage III TBM (p<0.0001; OR=28; 95% CI=4.9-158) and presence of altered sensorium (p=0.05; OR=22; 95% CI=0.99-4.8) with either death or survival with severe disability.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to prognosticate TBM using a combination of clinical and radiological. The duration of illness (65.9±92days) before diagnosis of TBM continues to be unacceptably long and this stresses on need to educate primary care physicians about TBM. Future studies where intensity and duration of treatment is guided by these cues may help in sorting out some of the most difficult questions in TBM, namely duration of antitubercular therapy as well as dose and duration of steroid therapy etc.

Immunological diagnosis as an adjunctive tool for an early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis of an immune competent child in a low tuberculosis endemic country: a case report

BACKGROUND

Pediatric tuberculous meningitis is a highly morbid, often fatal disease. Its prompt diagnosis and treatment saves lives, in fact delays in the initiation of therapy have been associated with high mortality rates.

CASE PRESENTATION

This is a case of an Italian child who was diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis after a history of a month of headache, fatigue and weight loss. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a lymphocytic pleocytosis with predominance and decreased glucose concentration. Microscopy and conventional diagnostic tests to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis were negative, while a non classical method based on intracellular cytokine flow cytometry response of CD4 cells in cerebral spinal fluid helped us to address the diagnosis, that was subsequently confirmed by a nested polymerase chain reaction amplifying a 123 base pair fragment of the M. tuberculosis DNA.

CONCLUSIONS

We diagnosed tuberculous meningitis at an early stage through an innovative immunological approach, supported by a nested polymerase chain reaction for detection of M. tuberculosis DNA. An early diagnosis is required in order to promptly initiate a therapy and to increase the patient's survival.

Cerebral infarction pattern in tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) causes significant morbidity and mortality. The primary objective was to re-examine the concept of “TB zone” and “ischaemic zone” in cerebral infarction in patients with tuberculous meningitis. The secondary objective was to evaluate cerebral infarction, vasculitis and vasospasm in tuberculous meningitis infections. Between 2009 and 2014, TBM patients were recruited. Neuroimaging was performed and findings of cerebral infarction, vasculitis and vasospasm were recorded. Infarcts were classified based on arterial supply and Hsieh’s classification. Fifty-one TBM patients were recruited of whom 34 patients (67%) had cerebral infarction. Based on Hsieh’s classification, 20 patients (59%) had infarcts in both “TB zone” and “ischaemic zones”. 12 patients (35%) had infarcts in “ischaemic zone” and two (6%) patients had infarcts in “TB zone”. In terms of vascular supply, almost all patients (35/36) had infarcts involving perforators and cortical branches. 25 patients (73%) and 14 patients (41%) had infarcts supplied by lateral lenticulostriate and medial lenticulostriate arteries respectively. 15 patients (37%) had vasculitis. Vasospasm was present in six patients (15%). 29 patients (85%) with cerebral infarction also had leptomeningeal enhancement (p = 0.002). In summary, infarcts involved mainly perforators and cortical branches, rather than “TB zone” versus “ischaemic zone”.

Six months therapy for tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the main form of tuberculosis that affects the central nervous system and is associated with high rates of death and disability. Most international guidelines recommend longer antituberculous treatment (ATT) regimens for TBM than for pulmonary tuberculosis disease to prevent relapse. However, longer regimens are associated with poor adherence, which could contribute to increased relapse, development of drug resistance, and increased costs to patients and healthcare systems.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of short-course (six months) regimens versus prolonged-course regimens for people with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases up to 31 March 2016: the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), published in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE; EMBASE; LILACS; INDMED; and the South Asian Database of Controlled Clinical Trials. We searched the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing trials. We also checked article reference lists and contacted researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies of adults and children with TBM treated with antituberculous regimens that included rifampicin for six months or longer than six months. The primary outcome was relapse, and included studies required a minimum of six months follow-up after completion of treatment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors (SJ and HR) independently assessed the literature search results for eligibility, and performed data extraction and 'Risk of bias' assessments of the included studies. We contacted study authors for additional information when necessary. Most data came from single arm cohort studies without a direct comparison so we pooled the findings for each group of cohorts and presented them separately using a complete-case analysis. We assessed the quality of the evidence narratively, as using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was inappropriate with no direct comparisons between short- and prolonged-course regimens.

MAIN RESULTS

Four RCTs and 12 prospective cohort studies met our inclusion criteria, and included a total of 1881 participants with TBM. None of the included RCTs directly compared six months versus longer regimens, so we analysed all data as individual cohorts to obtain relapse rates in each set of cohorts.We included seven cohorts of participants treated for six months, with a total of 458 participants. Three studies were conducted in Thailand, two in South Africa, and one each in Ecuador and Papua New Guinea between the 1980s and 2009. We included 12 cohorts of participants treated for longer than six months (ranging from eight to 16 months), with a total of 1423 participants. Four studies were conducted in India, three in Thailand and one each in China, South Africa, Romania, Turkey and Vietnam, between the late 1970s and 2011.The proportion of participants classified as having stage III disease (severe) was higher in the cohorts treated for six months (33.2% versus 16.9%), but the proportion with known concurrent HIV was higher in the cohorts treated for longer (0/458 versus 122/1423). Although there were variations in the treatment regimens, most cohorts received isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide during the intensive phase.Investigators achieved follow-up beyond 18 months after completing treatment in three out of the seven cohorts treated for six months, and five out of the 12 cohorts treated for eight to 16 months. All studies had potential sources of bias in their estimation of the relapse rate, and comparisons between the cohorts could be confounded.Relapse was an uncommon event across both groups of cohorts (3/369 (0.8%) with six months treatment versus 7/915 (0.8%) with longer), with only one death attributed to relapse in each group.Overall, the proportion of participants who died was higher in the cohorts treated for longer than six months (447/1423 (31.4%) versus 58/458 (12.7%)). However, most deaths occurred during the first six months in both treatment cohorts, which suggested that the difference in death rate was not directly related to duration of ATT but was due to confounding. Clinical cure was higher in the group of cohorts treated for six months (408/458 (89.1%) versus longer than six months (984/1336 (73.7%)), consistent with the observations for deaths.Few participants defaulted from treatment with six months treatment (4/370 (1.1%)) versus longer treatment (8/355 (2.3%)), and adherence was not well reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In all cohorts most deaths occurred in the first six months; and relapse was uncommon in all participants irrespective of the regimen. Further inferences are probably inappropriate given this is observational data and confounding is likely. These data are almost all from participants who are HIV-negative, and thus the inferences will not apply to the efficacy and safety of the six months regimens in HIV-positive people. Well-designed RCTs, or large prospective cohort studies, comparing six months with longer treatment regimens with long follow-up periods established at initiation of ATT are needed to resolve the uncertainty regarding the safety and efficacy of six months regimens for TBM.

Outcome of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery, without prior placement of external ventricular drain in Grades III and IV patients of tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus: A single institution's experience in the pediatric population and review of literature

OBJECTIVE

Hydrocephalus is a most common complication of tubercular meningitis (TBM). Relieving hydrocephalus by ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement has been considered beneficial in patient in Palur Grades II or III. The role of VPS placement in those of Grades III and IV is controversial, and general tendency is to avoid its use. Some authors have suggested that patient in Grades III and IV should receive a shunt only if their condition improves with a trial placement of external ventricular drain (EVD). However, recent studies suggest that VPS may be undertaken without the trial of an EVD. Our study prospectively evaluates the role of direct VPS placement in patient in Grades III and IV TBM with hydrocephalus (TBMH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was carried out on 50 consecutive pediatric patients of TBMH in Palur Grades III and IV from July 2013 to December 2014 in R.N.T. Medical College and M.B. Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. All patients underwent direct VPS placement, without prior placement of EVD. The outcome was assessed at the end of 3 months using Glasgow Outcome Score.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 3.25 years (range, 3 months-14 years). Forty (80%) patients were in Grade III, and 10 (20%) were in Grade IV. Good outcome and mortality in Grade IV patients were 30% (3/10) and 10% (1/10), respectively; whereas in Grade III patients, it was 77.5% (31/40) and 0% (0/40), respectively. Twenty-five patients presented with focal neurological deficit at admission, which persisted in only 14 patients at 3 months follow-up. VPS-related complications were observed in 5 (10%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that direct VPS surgery could improve the outcome of Grades III and IV TBMH. Despite poor grade at admission, 80% patients in Grade III and 20% patients in Grade IV had a good outcome at 3 months follow-up. Direct VPS placement is a safe and effective option even in a patient in Grades III and IV grade TBMH with a low complication rate.

Tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus with HIV co-infection: role of cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures

OBJECT Hydrocephalus is one of the commonest complications of tubercular meningitis (TBM), and its incidence is increasing with the HIV epidemic. Literature evaluating the role of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in HIV-positive patients with TBM and their long-term prognosis is scarce. METHODS Between June 2002 and October 2012, 30 HIV-positive patients with TBM and hydrocephalus underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Thirty age-, sex-, and grade-matched HIV-negative patients with TBM and hydrocephalus were randomly selected as the control group. Outcome was analyzed at discharge (short-term outcome) and at follow-up (long-term outcome). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to look for predictors of outcome; p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS There were no differences in the clinical, radiological, or biochemical parameters between the 2 groups. Short-term outcome was better in the HIV-negative group (76.7% improvement) than in the HIV-positive group (70%). However, the long-term outcome in HIV-positive patients was very poor (66.7% mortality and 76.2% poor outcome) compared with HIV-negative patients (30.8% mortality and 34.6% poor outcome). Seropositivity for HIV is an independent predictor of poor outcome both in univariate and multivariate analyses (p = 0.038). However, in contrast to previous reports, of 5 patients with TBM in good Palur grades among the HIV-positive patients, 4 (80%) had good outcome following shunt placement. CONCLUSIONS The authors recommend that shunt treatment should not be performed in HIV-positive patients in poor Palur grade with hydrocephalus. A trial of external ventricular drainage should be undertaken in such patients, and shunt treatment should be performed only if there is any improvement. However, HIV-positive patients in good Palur grades should undergo VP shunt placement, as these patients have better outcomes than previously reported.

Hamsi scoring in the prediction of unfavorable outcomes from tuberculous meningitis: results of Haydarpasa-II study

Predicting unfavorable outcome is of paramount importance in clinical decision making. Accordingly, we designed this multinational study, which provided the largest case series of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). 43 centers from 14 countries (Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria, Turkey) submitted data of microbiologically confirmed TBM patients hospitalized between 2000 and 2012. Unfavorable outcome was defined as survival with significant sequela or death. In developing our index, binary logistic regression models were constructed via 200 replicates of database by bootstrap resampling methodology. The final model was built according to the selection frequencies of variables. The severity scale included variables with arbitrary scores proportional to predictive powers of terms in the final model. The final model was internally validated by bootstrap resampling. A total of 507 patients' data were submitted among which 165 had unfavorable outcome. Eighty-six patients died while 119 had different neurological sequelae in 79 (16%) patients. The full model included 13 variables. Age, nausea, vomiting, altered consciousness, hydrocephalus, vasculitis, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus and neurological deficit remained in the final model. Scores 1-3 were assigned to the variables in the severity scale, which included scores of 1-6. The distribution of mortality for the scores 1-6 was 3.4, 8.2, 20.6, 31, 30 and 40.1%, respectively. Altered consciousness, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, neurological deficits, hydrocephalus, and vasculitis predicted the unfavorable outcome in the scoring and the cumulative score provided a linear estimation of prognosis.

Risk assessment of the outcome for cerebral infarction in tuberculous meningitis

INTRODUCTION

Cerebral infarction in tuberculous meningitis is a major risk factor for permanent disability. This study assessed the clinical presentation of tuberculous meningitis and risks factors for cerebral infarction.

OBSERVATION

Thirty-eight adult patients with tuberculous meningitis were studied between 2002 and 2006. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory data of patients with cerebral infarction were compared with those of patients without cerebral infarction. Patients with cerebral infarction were significantly older (65.1 vs 52.1years), had higher risk assessment scores (3.7 vs 2.2), and more often had basal meningeal enhancement on imaging (92.3% vs 60.0%), mild to moderate sequelae (69.2% vs 4%), an overall poor brain outcome (69.2% vs 8%), aspirin prescription (84% vs 8%), and neurosurgical intervention for hydrocephalus (54.0% vs 16.0%). Cerebral infarction patients were also more likely to have experienced doctor-related delays in antituberculosis (61.5% vs 36%) and corticosteroid (61.5% vs 32%) therapy.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The Framingham risk score would be an option for tuberculous meningitis patients to access cerebral infarction risk. Contrast-enhanced brain imaging is helpful for exploring basal meningeal enhancement, in order to obtain an early diagnosis. Antituberculosis, corticosteroid, and aspirin therapies should be started immediately when tuberculous meningitis is suspected.

Diffusion tensor imaging study of white matter damage in chronic meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and cryptococcal meningitis (CM) are two of the most common types of chronic meningitis. This study aimed to assess whether chronic neuro-psychological sequelae are associated with micro-structure white matter (WM) damage in HIV-negative chronic meningitis. Nineteen HIV-negative TBM patients, 13 HIV-negative CM patients, and 32 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were evaluated and compared. The clinical relevance of WM integrity was studied using voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) magnetic resonance imaging. All of the participants underwent complete medical and neurologic examinations, and neuro-psychological testing. Differences in DTI indices correlated with the presence of neuro-psychological rating scores and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis during the initial hospitalization. Patients with CM had more severe cognitive deficits than healthy subjects, especially in TBM. There were changes in WM integrity in several limbic regions, including the para-hippocampal gyrus and cingulate gyrus, and in the WM close to the globus pallidus. A decline in WM integrity close to the globus pallidus and anterior cingulate gyrus was associated with worse CSF analysis profiles. Poorer DTI parameters directly correlated with worse cognitive performance on follow-up. These correlations suggest that WM alterations may be involved in the psychopathology and pathophysiology of co-morbidities. Abnormalities in the limbic system and globus pallidus, with their close relationship to the CSF space, may be specific biomarkers for disease evaluation.

Presentation and outcome of tuberculous meningitis among children: experiences from a tertiary children's hospital

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is complicated and outcome is poor especially in resource limited settings. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are vital in effective treatment. We set out to describe experiences in the management and immediate outcome of TBM a tertiary-level children's hospital in a high HIV and tuberculosis co-infection setting.

METHODS

This retrospective study included children who were diagnosed with TBM in the year 2009. A pre-coded questionnaire was used to extract data on presentation, diagnostics, treatment and outcome at the time of hospital discharge. Data was analyzed using STATA statistical package (StataCorp, Version 11).

RESULTS

Of the 40 children diagnosed with TBM, 6 (15%) had definitive TBM, 17 (42.5%) had probable TBM and 17 (42.5%) had possible TBM. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) chemistry and cells were abnormal in 39/40 (98%). Mantoux test was reactive in 16/29 (55%) and 17/30 (57%) had Chest X-rays suggestive of tuberculosis. Only 3/21 (14%) had positive sputum tuberculosis culture and 89% (32/36) had neuro-imaging abnormalities. Outcome at discharge was; 8% died, 49% improved with neurological sequelae and 43% improved without sequelae. Having TBM stage 3 at admission was associated with mortality (p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Most children had early diagnosis of TBM and mortality was lower than in previous studies. We recommend a larger prospective study to further understand the outcome of TBM.

The role of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in patients of tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus in poor neurological grade: a prospective study in the pediatric population and review of literature

PURPOSE

There is still no standard protocol for management of patients of tubercular meningitis (TBM) with hydrocephalus in poor neurological grade. In general, a trial of external ventricular drain (EVD) is an accepted method of treatment to decide whether a particular patient will benefit from shunt surgery. However, recent studies suggest that ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt may be undertaken without the trial of an EVD. Our study prospectively evaluates the role of direct VP shunt placement in poor grade patients of TBM with hydrocephalus.

METHODS

Twenty-six consecutive pediatric patients of TBM with hydrocephalus in Palur grades III and IV underwent direct VP shunt placement, without prior placement of EVD. Outcome was assessed at the end of 3 months using Glasgow Outcome Score.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 3.3 years (range, 4 months to 11 years). Twenty-one (80.8 %) patients were in grade III and five (19.2 %) were in grade IV. Good outcome and mortality in grade IV patients was 20 % (1/5) and 60 % (3/5) respectively; whereas in grade III patients, it was 71.4 % (15/21) and 9.5 % (2/21), respectively. Thirteen patients presented with focal neurological deficit at admission, which persisted in only three patients at 3 months follow up. VP shunt-related complications were observed in six (23.5 %) patients

CONCLUSIONS

Despite poor grade at admission, 71.4 % patients in grade III and 20 % patients in grade IV had a good outcome at 3 months follow-up. Direct VP shunt placement is a safe and effective option even in poor grade patients of TBM with hydrocephalus, with a low complication rate.

Bladder dysfunction and urodynamic study in tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

Micturitional disturbances in tuberculous meningitis have been reported infrequently and that too without urodynamic studies. Bladder dysfunction in tuberculous meningitis is often considered secondary to tuberculous radiculomyelopathy. We, in this study, evaluated the incidence and pattern of bladder dysfunction in tuberculous meningitis.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In this prospective study, 51 patients were included. In addition to clinical evaluation, patients were subjected to a urodynamic study along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and spine. Patients were followed up for 6 months. A follow-up urodynamic study was performed after 6 months.

RESULTS

Out of 51 patients, urinary symptoms were present in one-third of the patients. Approximately, 70% (36) of the patients had urodynamic abnormalities. The commonest (22/51) urodynamic abnormality was detrusor hyporeflexia/areflexia. Other urodynamic abnormalities were neurogenic detrusor overactivity in 10, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in 6, normal detrusor activity in 19, reduced bladder sensation in 12, raised cystometric capacity in 9, and larger volumes of post-void residual urine in 12 patients. Six patients were unable to void on command. Three patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity had leak during study. MRI showed spinal meningeal enhancement in 37, lumbosacral arachnoiditis in 25, myelitis in 12 patients, CSF loculations in 6, and cord atrophy in 5 patients. Spinal arachnoiditis and urinary symptoms showed significant association with urodynamic abnormalities. Follow-up urodynamic study showed resolution of urodynamic abnormalities in 72.6% of the patients with treatment. Seven (28%) patients, with normal baseline urodynamic findings, paradoxically developed new abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

Bladder dysfunctions, in tuberculous meningitis, are frequently encountered. A significant association exists between urodynamic abnormalities and tuberculous lumbosacral arachnoiditis and myeloradiculopathy.

Prognostic value of computed tomography-evident cerebral infarcts in adult patients with tuberculous meningitis and hydrocephalus treated with an external ventricular drain

OBJECTIVE

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) frequently is complicated by hydrocephalus and cerebral infarction. Previous studies have shown radiologic evidence of cerebral infarction in TBM to be an indicator of poor outcome in both adults and children. Our objective was to assess short-term mortality in adult patients with TBM and hydrocephalus treated with an external ventricular drain and to assess the prognostic value of cerebral infarction on admission computed tomography imaging within this cohort.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series based on an adult intensive care unit admissions database, analyzing demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and radiologic data against short-term mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 25 patients managed from 2005 to 2011 were identified. Three patients were excluded. Mean age was 31 years. British Medical Research Council clinical severity grading was grade I in 9.1%, grade II in 31.8%, and grade III in 59.1%. Short-term mortality was 68.2% overall. Cerebral infarction on admission scanning was seen in 10 patients (45.5%). Prevalence of infarcts was not significantly higher in HIV-positive patients (50.0% vs. 42.9%). Mortality in the group with infarcts was 100%, compared with 41.7% in the group without infarcts. Mortality in patients with an admission Glasgow Coma Scale of 8 or less was 91.7%. Mortality in the HIV-positive group was slightly greater, but this increase did not reach statistical significance (71.4% vs. 57.1% P = 0.6). Univariate analysis showed presence of infarcts at admission, Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 at admission and age of 30 years or more to be significantly related to mortality. There was also a statistically significantly increased mortality according to British Medical Research Council grade.

CONCLUSION

TBM with hydrocephalus requiring cerebrospinal diversion carries a significant short-term mortality. Within this cohort, the group of patients who have computed tomography-evident cerebral infarcts at admission has an even worse outcome, with a significantly greater short-term mortality prevalence.

An unusual cause of visual impairment in tuberculous meningitis

Impairment of vision is a devastating complication of tuberculous meningitis which may occur as a result of increased intracranial pressure, compression over the visual pathways or vasculitis. We herein present occurrence of neuroretinitis in a 35-year-old lady presenting with low grade fever and headache for one month, and associated with diminution of vision from 3 weeks. She was diagnosed as a case of definite tuberculous meningitis and initiated on anti-tuberculous treatment as per WHO guidelines with supplemental corticosteroids. Marked improvement in vision was observed and at 3 months of follow-up the patient was asymptomatic. Direct ophthalmoscopy, visual field analysis, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were done to document the ophthalmological findings. Neuroretinitis, being an unusual cause of visual impairment in tuberculous meningitis, must be considered in patients without any evidence of raised intracranial pressure or compression, and with normal fluorescein angiography. We suggest that neuroretinitis may be added to list of causes of visual impairment in patients with tuberculous meningitis.

MR angiography in tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

Infarctions in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are common but there is a paucity of studies on MR angiography (MRA).

PURPOSE

To evaluate the pattern and predictors of MRA abnormality in patients with TBM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-seven patients with TBM were subjected to clinical, laboratory, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MRA evaluation. The severity of meningitis, focal deficit, CSF findings, and stroke co-morbidities were recorded. Presence of exudates, infarction, hydrocephalous, and tuberculoma on MRI were noted. On intracranial MRA, occlusion or more than 50% narrowing of proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and basilar artery were considered abnormal. The MRA abnormality was correlated with clinical, laboratory, and MRI findings.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients, aged 3-75 years (median 34 years) were included. MRI was abnormal in 61 (91%) patients; basal exudates in 24, hydrocephalous in 23, tuberculoma in 33, and infarction in 40. MRA was abnormal in 34 (50.7%); MCA was most commonly involved (n = 21), followed by PCA (n = 14), ICA (n = 8), ACA (n = 5), basilar artery (n = 5), and vertebral and superior cerebellar artery (1 each). One-fourth of the patients had abnormality in both anterior and posterior circulations. MRA abnormality was related to hydrocephalous and infarction; corresponding infarct was present in 61.8% patients; 41.7% patients with abnormal MRA developed infarct at 3 months but none with normal MRA.

CONCLUSION

Half the patients with TBM had MRA abnormality involving both anterior and posterior circulations and 61.8% of them had corresponding infarcts.

Tuberculous meningitis in Greek children

BACKGROUND

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Our aim was to analyze the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic approach, and outcome of tuberculous meningitis in childhood.

METHODS

During a 25-y period (1984-2008), 43 children, aged 7 months to 13 y, were hospitalized in the Paediatric Department of the referral centre for infectious diseases in Thessaloniki, Greece with the diagnosis of TBM. The patients were classified according to the clinical findings on admission as per the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) staging: stage I, 16/43 (37.2%) children; stage II, 16/43 (37.2%); and stage III 11/43 (25.6%).

RESULTS

Twenty-seven of the 43 patients were Greek (63%) and none had been BCG-vaccinated. A family history of tuberculosis was identified in 18 cases (42%). 35 patients (81%) had a positive tuberculin skin test. An extrameningeal site of infection was identified in 14 children (33%); pulmonary tuberculosis in 14/43 patients (5/13 miliary tuberculosis) and spondylitis in 1. All patients were treated with anti-tuberculous drugs and 36 (84%) also received corticosteroids. Complications during hospitalization (coma, seizures, cranial nerve palsy, hydrocephalus) presented in 26 patients (60%). Two patients died (5%) and 6 (14%) had permanent neurological sequelae.

CONCLUSION

TBM, although rare, remains a disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Early clinical diagnosis and appropriate treatment initiation are important for the prognosis.

Brain tuberculomas, tubercular meningitis, and post-tubercular hydrocephalus in children

Central nervous system tuberculosis in children presents commonly as tubercular meningitis, post-tubercular meningitis hydrocephalus, and much more rarely as space-occupying lesions known as tuberculomas. The occurrence of this condition, though previously reported only in the developing world, is now frequently reported in human immunodeficiency virus positive migrants in the western world. The exact pathogenesis of this condition is still incompletely understood, and the mainstay of treatment is chemotherapeutic regimes. Neurosurgical intervention is rarely necessary, and is confined to cases of hydrocephalus after tubercular meningitis and to large tubeculomas with space-occupying effects.

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients: HIV infection and solid organ transplant recipients

Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating infection with high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide and may manifest as meningitis, tuberculoma, abscess, or other forms of disease. Immunosuppression, due to either human immunodeficiency virus infection or solid organ transplantation, increases susceptibility for acquiring or reactivating TB and complicates the management of underlying immunosuppression and CNS TB infection. This article reviews how immunosuppression alters the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of TB infections of the CNS.

Evaluation of BioFM liquid medium for culture of cerebrospinal fluid in tuberculous meningitis to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The present study was designed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of liquid culture medium (BioFM broth) for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF samples from 200 patients (TBM group = 150 and non-TBM group = 50) were tested for culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in BioFM liquid culture medium. Out of 150 TBM cases, 120 were found to be culture positive, indicating a sensitivity of 80% in BioFM broth within 2-3 weeks of inoculation. Positive cultures were also observed for CSF from 32 (64%) out of 50 non-TBM patients in BioFM liquid culture medium within 4 days of sample inoculation. Therefore, according to our study, BioFM broth system yielded 80% sensitivity [95% confidence interval (CI): 67-93%] and 36% specificity (95% CI: 57-98%) for TBM diagnosis. Our results indicate that although BioFM broth allows the detection of positive cultures within a shorter time, it has a high potential for contamination or for the coexistence of M. tuberculosis and non-tuberculous meningitis (NTM). This coexistence may go undetected or potentially lead to erroneous reporting of results.

HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis--diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis (TBM) poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and carries a dismal prognosis. In this review, we present the clinical features and management of HIV-associated TBM, and compare this to disease in HIV-uninfected individuals. Although the clinical presentation, laboratory findings and radiological features of TBM are similar in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients, some important differences exist. HIV-infected patients present more frequently with extra-meningeal tuberculosis and systemic features of HIV infection. In HIV-associated TBM, clinical course and outcome are influenced by profound immunosuppression at presentation, emphasising the need for earlier diagnosis of HIV infection and initiation of antiretroviral treatment.

Prognostic factors of tuberculous meningitis in adults: a 6-year retrospective study at a tertiary hospital in northern Taiwan

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical features, laboratory test results, imaging data, and prognostic predictors of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in adults.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 108 adult patients with a diagnosis of TBM over a 6-year period. Patients were divided into "definite" and "probable" groups, depending on the diagnosis made by (1) positive culture, or polymerase chain reaction, of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); or (2) the isolation of TB elsewhere, or chest radiography consistent with active pulmonary TB, or imaging studies of the brain consistent with TBM, or clinical improvement on treatment. These two groups were compared for their clinical features, images, laboratory test results, and 9-month mortality rates to identify prognostic predictors.

RESULTS

Compared with the "probable" group (n = 62), the "definite" group (n = 46) had a higher mortality rate (50.0%vs. 30.6%, p = 0.041) and more consciousness disturbance (78.3%vs. 51.6%, p = 0.005), hydrocephalus (63.4%vs. 40.7%, p= 0.029) and isolation of TB from extra-CSF specimens (41.3%vs. 22.6%, p = 0.037). Old age (p = 0.002), consciousness change (p = 0.032), and hydrocephalus (p = 0.047) were poor prognostic indicators in the "definite" group as assessed by univariate analysis. Severity of TBM at admission and delayed anti-TB therapy resulted in a poor prognosis for all patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that old age and hydrocephalus were independent factors for mortality. Adjunctive steroid therapy over 2 weeks improved survival in both the "definite" (p = 0.002) and "probable" (p = 0.035) groups, but more than 4 weeks of use had no significant effect on mortality. Steroid treatment, therefore, may improve the outcome of patients with TBM.

CONCLUSION

Old age, advanced stage of TBM at admission, hydrocephalus, and positive TB culture or polymerase chain reaction of CSF are factors associated with a poor prognosis for TBM. Early diagnosis and treatment, including short term steroid use, are mandatory for clinical care of adult patients with TBM.

Predictors of stroke and its significance in the outcome of tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We sought to study the frequency and predictors of stroke in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and its prognostic significance.

DESIGN

This was an observational study in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

METHODS

In all, 122 patients with TBM aged 4 to 82 years diagnosed on the basis of clinical, cerebrospinal fluid, and magnetic resonance imaging criteria were prospectively evaluated. Severity of meningitis was graded into stage I to III. Magnetic resonance imaging was done at admission and 3 months after treatment. Outcome was defined at 3 and 6 months as complete, partial, or poor. Predictors of stroke and its significance in long- and short-term outcome were evaluated.

FINDINGS

A total of 55 patients had stroke; 42 at admission and 13 developed within 3 months of 4 drug antitubercular treatment. Strokes were ischemic in 54 (hemorrhagic transformation in 7) and hemorrhagic in one. Basal ganglia infarctions were present in 30, thalamic in 9, brainstem in 10, cortical in 27, and cerebellar in 4 patients. Stoke was multiple in 29 patients. In all, 38 patients had infarctions in anterior circulation, 7 in posterior, and 10 in both. Stroke was significantly related to stage of meningitis, hydrocephalus, exudate, and hypertension. No difference was found in clinical or laboratory parameters in early and late strokes. At 6 months, 28 patients died. At 3 months there were 21 patients lost to follow up and at 6 months there were 30 patients lost to followup. Outcome is based on the rest of the patients, ie. 101 patients at 3 months and 92 patients at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Stroke occurs in 45% of patients with TBM both in early and later stage, mostly in basal ganglia region, and predicts poor outcome at 3 months.

Predictors for outcome and treatment delay in patients with tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a challenge for clinicians because of the difficulty in making an early diagnosis and the severe consequences of delaying treatment. The objective of this study was to assess predictors of outcome and to evaluate factors critical to treatment delay of TBM.

METHODS

One hundred and five adult patients with TBM, between 1997 and 2006, were retrospectively studied. Treatment delay was defined as progression of stage and physician delay between the initial presentation and the start of antituberculosis therapy. Factors contributing to the outcome, progression of stage, and prolonged physician delay were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (47.6%) experienced prolonged physician delay, and 38 (36.2%) had progression of stage. Thirty-four patients (32.4%) had an acute clinical course, and 76 (72.4%) received initial antibacterial therapy. Prolonged physician delay and progression of stage were important prognostic factors for poor outcome. Stage I at admission and prolonged physician delay were important factors contributing to progression of stage. An acute clinical course and an initial antibacterial therapy were important factors contributing to prolonged physician delay.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid diagnosis and early treatment before the occurrence of progression of stage are crucial for the outcome of TBM. TBM may present with an acute course, and when discrimination from bacterial meningitis is difficult, it is mandatory to start antituberculosis and antibacterial therapy simultaneously or lower the threshold for early antituberculosis therapy when persistent fever, deteriorated consciousness status, or progression of stage occurs during antibacterial therapy.

Outcome of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in Grade IV tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus: a retrospective analysis in 95 patients. Clinical article

OBJECT

Hydrocephalus is the most common complication of tubercular meningitis (TBM). Relieving hydrocephalus by ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement has been considered beneficial in patients in Palur Grade II or III. The role of VP shunt placement in those of Grade IV is controversial and the general tendency is to avoid its use. Some authors have suggested that patients in Grade IV should receive a shunt only if their condition improves with a trial placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD). In the present study, the authors assessed the outcome of VP shunt placement in patients in Grade IV TBM with hydrocephalus to examine the factors predicting outcome and to determine whether a trial with an EVD is absolutely necessary prior to shunt placement.

METHODS

Ninety-five consecutive cases of TBM with hydrocephalus in which the patients underwent VP shunt placement were retrospectively analyzed, and direct VP shunts were placed whenever possible. An EVD was placed first only in the presence of deranged blood parameters. Outcomes were assessed both in the short and long term.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 17.5 years (range 1-55 years). Fifty-two patients underwent direct VP shunt placement, and the remaining 43 received EVDs first. Overall, 33 and 45% of patients had favorable short- and long-term outcomes, respectively. Age older than 3 years and duration of altered sensorium < or = 3 days were predictive of a favorable short-term outcome. Glasgow Coma Scale score at presentation was predictive of long-term outcome. Of the patients who did not improve with placement of an EVD prior to VP shunt insertion, 24 and 18% had favorable short- and long-term outcomes, respectively; this was not significantly different from the outcome in the patients who underwent direct VP shunt placement.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct VP shunt placement is an effective option in patients with Grade IV TBM with hydrocephalus. Age and duration of altered sensorium are predictive of short-term outcome, while Glasgow Coma Scale score at presentation predicts long-term outcome. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts should be considered even in patients who do not improve with an EVD.

Evaluation of cerebral infarction in tuberculous meningitis by diffusion weighted imaging

BACKGROUND

Ischemic complications are known to occur in tuberculous meningitis (TBM). They are usually seen in patients with TBM having a more severe disease. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) provides information regarding tissue ischemia at an early stage as compared to conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Ischemic complications in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative TBM were evaluated using DWI and T2 weighted imaging in 30 patients in the present study. The imaging was performed at baseline within 7 days of admission and in case of any neurological deterioration during follow up. The outcome was assessed by the modified Barthel's index at 1 year follow up. A score of >/=12 was taken as a poor outcome, while a score of <12 was considered as good outcome.

RESULT

Seventeen of these 30 patients had infarcts, and the total number of infarcts seen was 42. Thirty eight lesions were acute/sub acute and four were chronic infarcts. Out of the 38 acute/sub acute infarcts 34 were visible both on T2 weighted imaging and on DWI, while four were seen only on DWI. The volume of infarcts as seen by DWI was significantly larger as compared to conventional T2 weighted imaging (p = 0.019). Six patients had a poor outcome, five from the infarct group and one from the non-infarct group.

CONCLUSION

DWI demonstrates a larger area of infarction and may also be useful in the early detection of infarction. It should be used as an additional sequence along with conventional imaging in patients with TBM while they are on a follow up on anti tuberculous treatment. The information obtained by DWI may be of value in explaining the clinical condition of the patient as well as in the management and prognostication.

[Effects of corticosteroids on adults with tuberculous meningitis admitted to intensive care unit: a propensity score analysis]

INTRODUCTION

The beneficial effect of corticosteroids has been well established, particularly in patients free of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. In intensive care units, the high risks of infection to which patients are exposed specifically could offset the neurological benefit of corticosteroids. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of corticosteroids in adult patients with tuberculous meningitis admitted to intensive care unit.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study including all adult patients admitted to intensive care unit for tuberculous meningitis between January 1993 and December 2005. A propensity score case matching was performed using a multivariable logistic regression model, and matched pairs were examined for baseline characteristics and outcome by using conditional regression model. A multivariate Cox's proportional hazard model was used to assess the effects of corticosteroids in all patients adjusting for propensity score. The primary outcome was mortality at 60 days and the secondary outcome was the density of incidence of nosocomial infections.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy patients were included. The mean age was 38+/-17 years, and the Glasgow coma scale was 12+/-3. The overall mortality was 43.3%. Ninety-four patients who had received corticosteroids were matched to 94 patients untreated with corticosteroids by the propensity score. The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups except for hydrocephalus, which was more frequent in the group corticosteroids. The mortality rate was 47.9% in group Corticosteroids and 52.1% in group No corticosteroids (P=0.77). The case fatality rate in stage III patients, according to the British Medical Research Council criteria, was 61.5% in the group Corticosteroids versus 74.1% in the group No corticosteroids (P=0.33). Nosocomial infections were observed in 19.1 by 1000 days patient in group Corticosteroids versus 16.1 by 1000 days patient in group No corticosteroids (P=0.4). The outcome in all patients after adjusting for propensity score showed the same results.

CONCLUSION

This study found no significant improvement in survival in adult patients with tuberculous meningitis admitted to intensive care who received dexamethasone. However, the confidence interval was in accordance with the 0.78 relative risk estimated by the meta-analysis Cochrane version 2008. There was no significant difference for nosocomial infections between the group Corticosteroids and the group No corticosteroids. A probable lack of statistical power may explain these results.

Central nervous system tuberculosis: pathogenesis and clinical aspects

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a highly devastating form of tuberculosis, which, even in the setting of appropriate antitubercular therapy, leads to unacceptable levels of morbidity and mortality. Despite the development of promising molecular diagnostic techniques, diagnosis of CNS tuberculosis relies largely on microbiological methods that are insensitive, and as such, CNS tuberculosis remains a formidable diagnostic challenge. Insights into the basic neuropathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the development of an appropriate animal model are desperately needed. The optimal regimen and length of treatment are largely unknown, and with the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, the development of well-tolerated and effective antibiotics remains a continued need. While the most widely used vaccine in the world largely targets this manifestation of tuberculosis, the BCG vaccine has not fulfilled the promise of eliminating CNS tuberculosis. We put forth this review to highlight the current understanding of the neuropathogenesis of M. tuberculosis, to discuss certain epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of CNS tuberculosis, and also to underscore the many unmet needs in this important field.

Distribution of brain infarction in children with tuberculous meningitis and correlation with outcome score at 6 months

BACKGROUND

Prognostic indicators for tuberculous meningitis (TBM) offer realistic expectations for parents of affected children. Infarctions affecting the basal ganglia are associated with a poor outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To correlate the distribution of infarction in children with TBM on CT with an outcome score (OS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT brain scans in children with TBM were retrospectively reviewed and the distribution of infarctions recorded. The degree of correlation with OS at 6 months was determined.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant association between all sites of infarction (P = 0.0001-0.001), other than hemispheric (P = 0.35), and outcome score. There was also a statistically significant association between all types of infarction (P = 0.0001-0.02), other than hemispheric (P = 0.05), and overall poor outcome. The odds ratio for poor outcome with bilateral basal ganglia and internal capsule infarction was 12. The odds ratio for poor outcome with 'any infarction' was 4.91 (CI 2.24-10.74), with 'bilateral infarctions' 8.50 (CI 2.49-28.59), with basal ganglia infarction 5.73 (CI 2.60-12.64), and for hemispheric infarction 2.30 (CI 1.00-5.28).

CONCLUSION

Infarction is associated with a poor outcome unless purely hemispheric. MRI diffusion-weighted imaging was not part of this study, but is likely to play a central role in detecting infarctions not demonstrated by CT.

Objective CT criteria to determine the presence of abnormal basal enhancement in children with suspected tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND

There are no widely accepted objective criteria to determine the presence of basal enhancement on CT in children with suspected tuberculous meningitis (TBM).

OBJECTIVE

To test nine recently described objective CT criteria for the presence of abnormal basal enhancement in children with suspected TBM against the definite diagnosis as determined by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT scans of patients with a clinical suspicion of TBM who had undergone lumbar puncture for CSF culture spanning a period of 4 years were reviewed for the presence of nine recently described criteria for the presence of abnormal basal enhancement. The radiologists were blinded to the final diagnosis based on CSF culture against which the criteria were tested. The criteria have been named: the 'Y-sign', 'linear enhancement', 'double lines', 'infundibular recess of the third', 'ill-defined edge', 'nodular enhancement', 'join the dots', 'contrast filling the cisterns', and 'asymmetry'.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients were included in the study, 34 with culture-proven TBM and 31 with other diagnoses. Four individual criteria had a specificity of 100%, but the sensitivities of these criteria ranged from 15% to 53% only. Three other criteria had specificities of 97% and sensitivities ranging from 62% to 82%. The presence of more than one criterion in the same patient showed a specificity of 97% and sensitivity of 91%.

CONCLUSIONS

Very high specificity was demonstrated for all nine criteria, including 100% specificity for four individual criteria. Sensitivity was at best 82%, but improved to 91% when more than one criterion was present. These criteria need to be tested for inter- and intraobserver variability to prove their clinical usefulness.

Traitement des tuberculoses cérébro-méningées

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculous meningitis and brain tuberculomas are currently rare in the western world but remain serious. Improved outcome requires early recognition and treatment of these conditions.

STATE OF ART

Treatment is usually begun before diagnostic confirmation. Therapeutic principles are now better defined thanks to recent recommendations and studies. Antituberculous therapy begins with two months of a combination of four drugs: isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamid. Then follows a longer phase of bitherapy with isoniazid and rifampicin, lasting at least four months but usually extended to seven or ten months as a precaution. Patients at risk of toxic neuropathy should receive pyridoxine supplementation. Corticosteroids must be systematically added during the first eight weeks of treatment, beginning with high dose before progressive tapering. Hyponatremia is common, often induced by emesis and cerebral salt wasting syndrome. Therefore saline supply rather than water restriction is required. Non-obstructive hydrocephaly can usually be managed with diuretic therapy including acetazolamid, sometimes complemented by serial lumbar punctures. Neurosurgical interventions are rarely needed. Monitoring of treatment tolerance and efficacy is mainly clinical. Central nervous system imaging and cerebro-spinal fluid analysis are only required to explain clinical deterioration.

CONCLUSION

With adequate and prompt anti-tuberculous, anti-inflammatory and supportive treatment, the prognosis of central nervous system tuberculosis can be greatly improved.