[Tuberculous meningitis: diagnosis and therapeutic difficulties]

Ann Biol Clin (Paris). 2010 May-Jun;68(3):355-61. doi: 10.1684/abc.2010.0438.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Tuberculosis remains a public-health problem in 2010 with 9 millions cases and 1,7 million deaths worldwide each year. Tuberculosis meningitis is rare (0.5 to 1%) but is associated with high mortality and disability among survivors. An early starting of treatment is crucial. Despite molecular biology methods, microbiological diagnosis remains a challenge for the biologist. We report here 2 cases of tuberculous meningitis with different clinical and biological presentations, which underline diagnosis and therapeutic difficulties encountered in the management of this disease. The first one occurred in an HIV infected patient and the second one was caused by a multidrug-resistant strain. Clinical issues were severe with important neurological residual disability and death. Biological methods available for tuberculous meningitis diagnosis are exposed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / drug therapy*
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / diagnosis

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents