Tuberculous Meningitis In Children Research Articles

A Study of CT Findings in children with neurotuberculosis

Objectives: To study the computed tomography (CT) features of tuberculous meningitis in children. Methods: A total of 45 patients diagnosed with neurotuberculosis were included. Cranial CT scans were done in these patients with and without IV contrast. The CT results were evaluated. Results: CT findings were abnormal in 41 (91.11%) and normal in 4 (8.89%). Basal exudate was the most common finding, seen in 25 (55.55%) cases followed by hydrocephalus in 15 (33.33%) cases. Infarcts were seen in 8 (17.77%), tuberculoma in 6 (13.33%), cerebral oedema in 3 (6.66%) children, cerebral atrophy and cerebral abscess were 1 (2.22%) each. Conclusion: CT is abnormal in the great majority of patients with neurotuberculosis and can aid in the diagnosis. Basal enhancement was the most common finding in our study.

Host immune response to tuberculous meningitis.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe complication of tuberculosis predominantly affecting young children. Early treatment is vital to prevent morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis. The lack of sensitive methods for early diagnosis is the most common cause of delay. Attempts have been made to develop simplified tests for tuberculosis, but their diagnostic power remains poor. The clinical picture of TBM is mainly driven by the host's immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis; therefore, identification of disease-specific biomarkers may have diagnostic and therapeutic value and improve our understanding of its pathogenesis. We investigated disease-specific biomarkers of childhood TBM in a cohort of children aged 3 months-13 years with symptoms and signs suggestive of meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from 56 patients with and 55 patients without TBM were assessed for 28 soluble mediators. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis revealed a disease-specific pattern of biomarkers for TBM relative to other types of meningitis. A biomarker-based diagnostic prediction model for childhood TBM based on CSF concentrations of interleukin 13 (cutoff value, 37.26 pg/mL), vascular endothelial growth factor (cutoff value, 42.92 pg/mL), and cathelicidin LL-37 (cutoff value, 3221.01 pg/mL) is presented with a sensitivity of 0.52 and a specificity of 0.95. These data highlight the potential of biosignatures in the host's CSF for diagnostic applications and for improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of TBM to discover strategies to prevent immunopathological sequelae.

Treatment outcomes of childhood tuberculous meningitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tuberculous meningitis disproportionately affects young children. We aimed to characterise treatment outcomes for this deadliest and most debilitating form of tuberculosis. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of childhood tuberculous meningitis studies published up to Oct 12, 2012. We included study reports that applied predefined diagnostic criteria and described treatment regimens and outcomes. We pooled risks of death during treatment and neurological sequelae among survivors. As secondary objectives, we assessed study-level characteristics as sources of heterogeneity, and we pooled frequencies of presenting symptoms and diagnostic findings. For all meta-analyses we used random-effects models with the exact binomial likelihood method. 19 studies met our inclusion criteria, with reported treatment outcomes for 1636 children. Risk of death was 19·3% (95% CI 14·0-26·1) and probability of survival without neurological sequelae was 36·7% (27·9-46·4). Among survivors, risk of neurological sequelae was 53·9% (95% CI 42·6-64·9). Diagnosis in the most advanced disease stage (3) occurred in 307 (47%) of 657 patients and was associated with worse outcomes than was earlier diagnosis. The most common findings at presentation were cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leucocytosis (frequency 99·9%, 95% CI 68·5-100·0), CSF lymphocytosis (97·9%, 51·9-100·0), fever (89·8%, 79·8-95·2), and hydrocephalus (86·1%, 68·6-94·6). Frequency of CSF acid-fast-bacilli smear positivity was 8·9% (95% CI 5·0-15·4), and frequency of CSF culture positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 35·1% (16·8-59·2). Despite treatment, childhood tuberculous meningitis has very poor outcomes. Poor prognosis and difficult early diagnosis emphasise the importance of preventive therapy for child contacts of patients with tuberculosis and low threshold for empirical treatment of tuberculous meningitis suspects. Implementation of consensus definitions, standardised reporting of data, and high-quality clinical trials are needed to clarify optimum therapy. None.

G334(P) Early Outcome of Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) strategy for Childhood Tuberculous Meningitis: Analysis from a Tertiary Centre in India

AimWe evaluated the early outcome of intermittent Directly Observed Therapy – Short course (DOTS), for children admitted with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) treated under the National TB Control Program in Delhi,...

Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculous Meningitis in Children

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM), the most devastating manifestation of tuberculosis, is often missed or overlooked because of nonspecific symptoms and difficulties in diagnosis. It continues to be an important cause of neurologic handicap in resource-poor countries. Owing to the suboptimal performance of diagnostic tests of TBM, diagnosis relies on thorough history, clinical examination, and relevant investigations. The development of affordable, accurate diagnostic tests for TBM in resource-poor settings remains a priority. Short intensified treatment is safe and effective in both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected children. Treatment of tuberculous hydrocephalus depends on the level of the cerebrospinal fluid obstruction. Corticosteroids reduce risk of neurodisability and death in HIV-uninfected children. Thalidomide should be considered in children compromised by tuberculosis abscesses and tuberculous-related optochiasmic arachnoiditis. In resource-poor countries, home-based TBM treatment after initial in-hospital stabilization is feasible in carefully selected patients. Early diagnosis and treatment of TBM is the single most important factor determining outcome.

Lipoarabinomannan enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for early diagnosis of childhood tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe complication of tuberculosis (TB) predominantly affecting young children. Early initiation of treatment is important to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with TBM, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis. Among the most promising new methods for diagnosing TB are antigen-detection assays based on the detection of lipoarabinomannan (LAM). To evaluate the diagnostic value of a commercial, antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test based on the detection of LAM in urine for the early diagnosis of TBM in children. A cross-sectional study in which urine samples from paediatric patients with suspected TBM attending the Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, were tested for LAM. Complete data were available for 50 of 56 patients with suspected TBM. TBM was diagnosed in 21 (42%) patients and excluded in 29 (58%). The LAM ELISA had a sensitivity of 4.8% and a specificity of 93.1%. Serial measurements in the first 2 weeks after treatment initiation did not improve test performance. We have shown that urinary LAM detection was of little value for the diagnosis of TBM in a cohort of paediatric patients with suspected TBM.

Early outcome of intermittent directly observed treatment- short course, for tuberculous meningitis in children: A descriptive analysis

Background: Effectiveness of intermittent short course chemotherapy for tuberculous meningitis (TBM) has not been well studied. This is particularly relevant for pediatric population where it is associated with a higher mortality and morbidity. Pediatricians are therefore reluctant to accept directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) strategy for TBM. Aim: To evaluate the early outcome of intermittent DOTS for children with TBM registered under the Revised National TB Control Program (RNTCP) program. Materials and Methods: Children less than or 12 years of age admitted with TBM and receiving chemotherapy under the RNTCP program were recruited in this prospective observational study. We included only those children diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital between May 2008 to March 2009. Diagnostic algorithm and treatment schedule were followed as per the RNTCP guidelines. Treatment outcome and followup status were recorded up to 8 weeks from the time of starting chemotherapy. Results: A total of 30 children (10 months to 12 years of age) with TBM were included in the study. After 8 weeks of treatment, 40% (n=12) children died; all these were diagnosed with stage 3 TBM on admission. Out of the 18 survivors, nearly 50% had significant neurological morbidity (hypertonia 2, cranial neuropathy 6, visual deficit 2, optic atrophy 2, monoplegia 2, hemiplegia 5). Conclusion: The RNTCP regimen for treating TBM in children is associated with a high early mortality and significant neurological morbidity after 8 weeks of therapy under program conditions in India. There is a need to compare it with regimes of daily therapy.

Bacillus Calmette–Guérin is a preventive factor in mortality of childhood tuberculous meningitis

Studies have been done that have focused on the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination in the prevention of cases of childhood tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However the efficacy of the vaccination in the prevention of mortality has not been sufficiently evaluated. This study aimed to determine the main features of TBM cases in childhood and to evaluate the factors related to mortality, proving the protective effect of BCG vaccination in childhood TBM. In a retrospective approach, all consecutive cases of TBM in children that occurred between 1997 and 2005, at Dicle University Hospital, were studied. The following data were evaluated: demographic aspects, admission symptoms, radiology and laboratory findings, BCG vaccination status, tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity, and mortality rates. In total, 172 cases of childhood TBM were evaluated (mean age 53.3±55.7 months; 109 boys (63.4%)). The majority of these cases (70.4%) had typical TBM symptoms on admission. BCG vaccination data were available for 152 (88.4%) cases and 29 of them (19.1%) were positive. The TST was performed for 143 patients (83.1%) and 28 (19.6%) were found positive. Hydrocephalus was identified in 118 patients (68.6%) on computed tomography examination. A shunt was placed in 79 cases (45.9%). In total, 24 patients (14.0%) died in the hospital. TST negativity was a significant factor for mortality (p=0.012). BCG positivity was found to be a preventive factor from mortality (p=0.05). BCG vaccination is effective in the prevention of TBM-associated mortality in childhood. TST negativity may be a sign of a poor prognosis in TBM cases.

Making wider use of the world's most widely used vaccine: Bacille Calmette–Guérin revaccination reconsidered

Approximately 100 million newborn children receive Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) annually, because vaccination is consistently protective against childhood tuberculous meningitis and miliary TB. By contrast, BCG efficacy against pulmonary TB in children and adults is highly variable, ranging from 0% to 80%, though it tends to be higher in individuals who have no detectable prior exposure to mycobacterial infections, as judged by the absence of delayed-type hypersensitivity response (a negative tuberculin skin test, TST). The duration of protection against pulmonary TB is also variable, but lasts about 10 years on average. These observations raise the possibility that BCG revaccination, following primary vaccination in infancy, could be efficacious among TST-negative adolescents as they move into adulthood, the period of highest risk for pulmonary disease. To inform continuing debate about revaccination, this paper assesses the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of revaccinating adolescents in a setting with intense transmission—Cape Town, South Africa. For a cost of revaccination in the range US$1–10 per person, and vaccine efficacy between 10% and 80% with protection for 10 years, the incremental cost per year of healthy life recovered (disability-adjusted life years, DALY) in the vaccinated population lies between US$116 and US$9237. The intervention is about twice as cost-effective when allowing for the extra benefits of preventing transmission, with costs per DALY recovered in the range US$52–$4540. At 80% efficacy, revaccination averted 17% of cases. Under the scenarios investigated, BCG revaccination is cost-effective against international benchmarks, though not highly effective. Cost-effectiveness ratios would be more favourable if we also allow for TB cases averted by preventing transmission to HIV-positive people, for the protection of HIV-negative people who later acquire HIV infection, for the possible non-specific benefits of BCG, for the fact that some adolescents would receive BCG for the first time, and for cost sharing when BCG is integrated into an adolescent immunization programme. These findings suggest, subject to further evaluation, that BCG revaccination could be cost-effective in some settings.

Current epidemiology of childhood tuberculous meningitis in Greece: a 10-year population-based study [Correspondence

Current epidemiology of childhood tuberculous meningitis in Greece: a 10-year population-based study [Correspondence

The cerebrospinal fluid cytological features of tuberculous meningitis in children

Background Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a common central nervous system (CNS) infectious disease,and is a serious threat to people's health. Due to its diverse clinical manifestations, especially atypical in infants and young children, it is easy to be misdiagnosed and can lead to high disablility rate and mortality rate. At present, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology still plays an important role in the etiological diagnosis of CNS infectious diseases. Based on the observation of CSF cytological changes of children with TBM, this study is to further understand the performance and evolution characteristics of this disease, so as to improve the ability of early diagnosis and judgment on the treatment effect. Methods Fresh CSF was collected to make smears by using cytological slide centrifugation, and apply May-Grunwald-Giemsa (MGG) staining for morphological classification. Results CSF cytology of all patients were abnormal. The average leukocyte count of children with TBM was (310.19 ± 156.26) × 106/L, and was significantly different from that of children with purulent meningitis ( P = 0.000). Lymphocyte proportion of TBM group was (66.56 ± 14.08)% , and there were significant differences among different groups ( P = 0.037, 0.000). Compared to children with purulent meningitis, higher proportion of monocytes ( P = 0.000, 0.020) and plasma cells ( P = 0.001, 0.004) were found in children with TBM and viral meningitis. The positive detection rate of plasma cells in children with TBM was higher than that in children with purulent meningitis ( P = 0.001). Conclusion The CSF cytology changing characteristics of children with TBM are revealed. In the beginning the lymphocyte proportion is dominant in CSF cytology, and then different extents of mixed cellular response appear as disease develops. For children with effective treatment, the proportion of neutrophils decreases rapidly and turns to lymphocyte reaction gradually, with monocytes and plasma cells, lasting for a long time. Long-term mixed cellular response will happen in children with ineffective treatment. All in all, the CSF cytology changing characteristics are significant in clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of TBM in children.

Features tuberculous etiology meningitis in young children

The appointment of anti-TB drugs with meningitis tuberculous etiology later than the 10 th day of illness in most cases leads to an unfavorable outcome of the disease and the development of serious complications. Specific therapy, conducted by the anti-TB drugs, with a high degree of penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid (isoniazid, pyrazinamide, amikacin, ethionamide) makes it possible to avoid fatal outcome in tuberculous meningitis in children, even at very late diagnosis. For suspected meningitis, and that it cannot be excluded, it is necessary to appoint a trial therapy 3—4 anti-TB drugs while there is a specification of the diagnosis.

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis GlcB or HspX Antigens or devR DNA Impacts the Rapid Diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis in Children

BackgroundTuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most common form of neurotuberculosis and the fifth most common form of extrapulmonary TB. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the cornerstones of effective disease management. The accurate diagnosis of TBM poses a challenge due to an extensive differential diagnosis, low bacterial load and paucity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) especially in children.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe describe the utility of ELISA and qPCR for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) proteins (GlcB, HspX, MPT51, Ag85B and PstS1) and DNA for the rapid diagnosis of TBM. CSF filtrates (n = 532) derived from children were classified as ‘Definite’ TBM (M. tb culture positive, n = 29), ‘Probable and Possible’ TBM (n = 165) and ‘Not-TBM’ including other cases of meningitis or neurological disorders (n = 338). ROC curves were generated from ELISA and qPCR data of ‘Definite’ TBM and Non-Tuberculous infectious meningitis (NTIM) samples and cut-off values were derived to provide ≥95% specificity. devR qPCR, GlcB, HspX and PstS1 ELISAs showed 100% (88;100) sensitivity and 96–97% specificity in ‘Definite’ TBM samples. The application of these cut-offs to ‘Probable and Possible’ TBM groups yielded excellent sensitivity (98%, 94;99) and specificity (98%, 96;99) for qPCR and for GlcB, HspX and MPT51 antigen ELISAs (sensitivity 92–95% and specificity 93–96%). A test combination of qPCR with GlcB and HspX ELISAs accurately detected all TBM samples at a specificity of ∼90%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that these tests significantly added value to the currently used algorithms for TBM diagnosis.ConclusionsThe detection of M. tb GlcB/HspX antigens/devR DNA in CSF is likely to improve the utility of existing algorithms for TBM diagnosis and also hasten the speed of diagnosis.

Evaluation of Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase activity as a complimentary tool in the early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children

The diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis cannot be made or excluded on the basis of clinical findings. Definite laboratory diagnosis is cumbersome and time consuming. Delay in diagnosis and institution of proper treatment is directly related to poor outcome and sequalae. Adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) was estimated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in addition to routine CSF analysis of 32 patients of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and 7 patients of partially treated pyomeningitis (PTM), 10 patients aseptic meningitis (AM) and 13 patients pyogenic meningitis (PM). Mean ADA levels in CSF of TBM patients were higher (15.42 U/L) as compared to 7.21 U/L, 6.41 U/L and 7.50 U/L in PTM, AM and PM respectively. This difference of ADA values in CSF between TBM and other types of meningitis was statistically significant (p<0.01). ADA values were also compared with other biochemical and cytological parameters of CSF & a positive correlation was found with CSF protein level. Sensitivity and specificity of ADA levels in CSF of children to diagnose tuberculous meningitis was 75% and 90% respectively at 10 U/L cut off of ADA levels in CSF. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 17-23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6833

Impact of Drug Resistance on Clinical Outcome in Children With Tuberculous Meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is associated with delayed diagnosis and poor outcome in children. This study investigated the impact of drug resistance on clinical outcome in children with TBM. All children (0-13 years) were included if admitted to Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, from January 2003 to April 2009 with a diagnosis of either confirmed TBM, or probable TBM with mycobacterial isolation from a site other than cerebrospinal fluid. Mycobacterial samples underwent drug susceptibility testing to rifampin and isoniazid. Children were treated with isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethionamide according to local guidelines. One hundred twenty-three children were included; 13% (16 of 123) had any form of drug resistance, and 4% (5 of 123) had multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Time from start of symptoms to appropriate treatment was longer in children with any drug resistance (median: 31 days versus 9 days; P=0.001). In multivariable analysis, young age (P=0.013) and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (adjusted odds ratio: 12.4 [95% confidence interval: 1.17-132.3]; P=0.037) remained risk factors for unfavorable outcome, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis remained a risk for death (adjusted odds ratio: 63.9 [95% confidence interval: 4.84-843.2]; P=0.002). We did not detect any difference in outcome between those with isolates resistant to only isoniazid and those with fully susceptible strains (adjusted odds ratio: 0.22 [confidence interval: 0.03-1.87]; P=0.17). Multidrug-resistant TBM in children has poor clinical outcome and is associated with death. We did not find any difference in the outcomes between children with isoniazid monoresistant TBM and those with drug-susceptible TBM. One explanation could be the local treatment regimen. Further investigation of this regimen is indicated.

Outcomes of tuberculous meningitis in children: a case review study

Background Tuberculous meningitis is a severe extrapulmonary complication of tuberculosis, with high morbidity and mortality rates.Objective To assess the relationship between presenting clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric tuberculous meningitis.Methods We present a case review study of all children diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta between January 1998 and December 2004. We compared demographic, clinical, and diagnostic characteristics to clinical outcomes.Results We included 43 patients. Common characteristics on admission were young age (mean 3.2 years), stage II and III tuberculous meningitis (91%), and neurological symptoms existing for more than 1 week, including convulsions (52%), unconsciousness (23%), meningeal irritation (56%), and cranial nerve palsy (67%). A common feature of tuberculous meningitis on computed tomography scan of the brain was hydrocephalus in 19/24 cases. Clinical outcomes were neurological sequelae (88%) and death (12%). Factors associated with poor outcome in univariate analyses were young age, as well as stage II and III tuberculous meningitis.Conclusions Tuberculous meningitis starts with nonspecific symptoms and is often only diagnosed when brain damage has already occurred. Outcome is directly associated with age and the stage of tuberculous meningitis. Earlier diagnosis may significantly improve outcomes. [Paediatr Indones. 2011;51:288-93].

The Role of Aspirin in Childhood Tuberculous Meningitis

Arterial stroke is the main cause of poor outcome in childhood tuberculous meningitis. Aspirin has an antithrombotic action at low dose and anti-ischemic and anti-inflammatory properties, which are dose-related. The aim of the study was to explore the possible benefits of aspirin in children with tuberculous meningitis. A total of 146 consecutive children with a diagnosis of probable tuberculous meningitis were studied. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: (1) placebo group, (2) low-dose aspirin group, and (3) high-dose aspirin group. Twenty-nine additional patients who received aspirin before admission were excluded from the randomized study, but continued on low-dose aspirin. Aspirin, irrespective of dose, did not show any significant benefit regarding morbidity (hemiparesis and developmental outcome) and mortality. Aspirin was well tolerated, but 1 death was probably related to aspirin. The fact that the outcome of the high-dose aspirin group compared favorably with the other treatment groups despite younger age and more severe neurological involvement at baseline needs further investigation.

Tuberculous meningitis in Japanese children between 1980-1991

We evaluated the clinical and laboratory findings of tuberculous meningitis admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Hospital from 1980 through 1991 retrospectively. They consisted of 26 patients (14 boys and 12 girls), and their age ranged from 4 months to 11 years. Seventeen patients were under 3 years of age. Mortality rate was 4% (1/26), and there were 13 patients with sequelae on discharge from the hospital, and 12 patients without any sequelae. The period to recover normal CSF findings was relatively long. Some cases which did not seem to respond well to chemotherapy at the initial stage, recovered from meningitis without sequelae. This suggests that it is not necessary to change the chemotherapy at the initial few weeks of therapy. The risk factors of poor prognosis were; age less than 2 years, decreased level of consciousness on admission, convulsion, CSF protein more than 70 mg/dl, and CSF glucose less than 20 mg/dl. Tryptophan reaction was not always positive. Chloride in CSF was not so important to diagnose tuberculous meningitis in children. For the proper diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children one should consider several factors such as tuberculin skin test, family history, chest X-ray findings and CSF study. BCG was inoculated in six children (three patients were under one year old and the rests were older than 4 years). In three patients under one year old BCG was seemed to be inoculated after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and apparently not effective to prevent tuberculosis meningitis. We conclude that BCG vaccination is necessary in early infancy to prevent tuberculous meningitis.

Spinal low-grade neoplasm with leptomeningeal dissemination mimicking tuberculous meningitis in a child

Spinal seeding of primary malignant intracranial tumors via CSF is common. However, this is rare in low-grade glial tumors. Cranial leptomeningeal metastasis of primary spinal cord low-grade gliomas at diagnosis or relapse is extremely rare. Leptomeningeal metastasis of spinal cord low-grade tumors may mimic tuberculous meningitis in children. A patient with primary spinal cord low-grade neoplasm mimicked tuberculous meningitis is presented. The patient successfully treated with chemoradiotherapy. At the end of 19-month follow-up, diffuse leptomeningeal infiltration and a dural mass compatible with relapse developed. Chemoradiotherapy was started.

Tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis is a severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The exact incidence and prevalence are not known. In countries with high burden of pulmonary tuberculosis, the incidence is expected to be proportionately high. Children are much more vulnerable. Human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients have a high incidence of tuberculous meningitis. The hallmark pathological processes are meningeal inflammation, basal exudates, vasculitis and hydrocephalus. Headache, vomiting, meningeal signs, focal deficits, vision loss, cranial nerve palsies and raised intracranial pressure are dominant clinical features. Diagnosis is based on the characteristic clinical picture, neuroimaging abnormalities and cerebrospinal fluid changes (increased protein, low glucose and mononuclear cell pleocytosis). Cerebrospinal fluid smear examination, mycobacterial culture or polymerase chain reaction is mandatory for bacteriological confirmation. The mortality and morbidity of tuberculous meningitis are exceptionally high. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment are crucial. Decision to start antituberculous treatment is often empirical. WHO guidelines recommend a 6 months course of antituberculous treatment; however, other guidelines recommend a prolonged treatment extended to 9 or 12 months. Corticosteroids reduce the number of deaths. Resistance to antituberculous drugs is associated with a high mortality. Patients with hydrocephalus may need ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination protects to some degree against tuberculous meningitis in children.