Retrospective Evaluaton of Tuberculosis in Central Nervous System Enfections: Five-Years Results

Abstract

In this retrospective study, we evaluate the probability of tuberculosis in central nervous system infections. Six hundred fourty one (641) central nervous system clinical samples were examined retrospectively in the Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine Hospital microbiology laboratory. Between 2006-2010 microscopic examinations after the NaOH-NALC method, all specimens except brain spinal fluid were examined for acid-fast bacillus were done with Ehrlich Ziehl Neelsen stain and all specimens were cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) and BACTEC 12B medium. Strains identified as M. Tuberculosis as a consequence of NAP testing, were tested for sensitivity to anti-tuberculosis drugs with a BACTEC 460 TB radiometric method. The tuberculosis detection rate was 2.6% for all samples. Among culture positive samples 16 were Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and 18 were non-tuberculous mycobacterium. Of Mycobacterium isolated samples 3 were Ziehl-Neelsen positive. Mean age of the patients with tuberculosis was 29.6±20.53. Of M. tuberculosis strains 18.7% was resistant to at least one or more of the drugs (streptomycin 12.5%, resistant to two drugs 6.2%. Tuberculosis of central nervous system has high mortality and morbidty rate among extrapulmonary tuberculosis forms. Early diagnosis and treatment is reduced mortality and morbidity rates.