BackgroundResearch has been going on to formulate diagnostic criteria for TBM. Two criteria that have been studied and validated in high TB prevalence areas are the Youssef criteria (Rule 1) and Thwaites criteria (Rule 2). In our study we aimed to compare the different features of TBM and acute bacterial meningitis. MethodsThis retrospective study was done at Northwest General Hospital & Research Centre (NWGH&RC), Peshawar, Pakistan. Patients who were clinically diagnosed with TB meningitis or bacterial meningitis at the time of presentation were included in the study. ResultsLab parameters for both groups were compared using independent sample T tests.We plotted ROC curves for Rule 1 and Rule 2. For Rule 1, at cut off value 2 it has a sensitivity of 97.5% and a specificity of 47.2%. For Rule 2, area at cut off value 3.5, sensitivity was 95% and specificity was 23.5%.We also plotted CSF protein to glucose ratio of our sample on an ROC curve and looked for measures of sensitivity and specificity. At cut off point 2 the sensitivity was 93% and specificity was 66.66%. ConclusionIt should be noted that although sensitivity for all three indices were high, specificity of all three tests was not very encouraging. We would like to emphasize that these indices can be useful in screening for patients with suspected TBM but they do not have the specificity to act as the sole test for initiation and continuance of therapy.