Tuberculous meningitis in children. A review of 25 cases observed between the years 1965 and 1970 at the Kings County Medical Center of Brooklyn with special reference to the problem of infection with primary drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis

A review of tuberculous meningitis in a Canadian pediatric hospital

Tuberculous meningitis is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Experience with this disease at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto was reviewed to determine whether changes in prognosis have occurred in the past decade. All patients from whom the organism was recovered from the cerebrospinal fluid, or who had a positive Mantoux test in association with a compatible history, were included. Thirteen patients were identified from 1978 to 1989. The median age was six years (range 11 months to 17.5 years). Nine patients were born in Canada, but all except one were members of recently immigrant families. History of close contact with an adult with tuberculosis, or travel to an endemic area in the preceding six months, was present in seven cases. All patients had clinical manifestations and mild pleocytosis with elevated protein content in the cerebrospinal fluid. Patients were all diagnosed within 20 days after admission (median one day). Computed tomography scan of the head was abnormal in all patients within three weeks of admission. No patient died, although long term sequelae developed in five. The prognosis of tuberculous meningitis has improved in the past decade. Although a specific reason for this improvement cannot be definitively stated, earlier diagnosis and better chemotherapy may contribute.

Tuberculous meningitis--clinical and laboratory review of 100 patients

In developing countries tuberculous meningitis is a difficult infection to differentiate from other central nervous system (CNS) infections. This paper presents the history, physical findings, laboratory data, and clinical course of 100 patients who were admitted to a special ward and had CSF cultures positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Fifty-four patients were comatose when admitted and 76 had meningeal signs. Mean admission CSF values were WBC 531, glucose 23 mg/dl, and protein 166 mg/dl. Only two CSF AFB smears were positive. Sixty-one percent of the chest X-rays taken were consistent with pulmonary tuberculous and 39% were normal. Twenty-four patients died within the first week after admission, before the clinical diagnosis was made and anti-tuberculous therapy could be started. Fifty-three of 76 patients given antituberculous therapy died. Neurologic sequelae developed in 48% of the survivors. The high mortality and morbidity rates in this patient-group were due to the severity of illness on admission and the predominance of children (54%).