0-9 - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Meningitis, Tuberculous

Synonyms of Meningitis, Tuberculous

TBM
Tuberculous Meningitis

Disorder Subdivisions

No subdivisions found.

General Discussion

Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) is a form of meningitis characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord and caused by a specific bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In TBM, the disorder develops gradually. Treatment with antibiotics and other drugs is usually effective against the infection.

Symptoms

Tuberculous Meningitis involves the central nervous system. Headaches and behavioral changes may be noticed initially. Fever, headache, a stiff neck, and vomiting may also occur. Symptoms among older children and adults may progress from irritability to confusion, drowsiness, and stupor, possibly leading to coma.

Untreated, this disorder can lead to seizures, hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain cavity), deafness, mental retardation, paralysis of one side of the body (hemiparesis) and other neurological abnormalities. (For more information on this disorder, choose "hydrocephalus" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

Diagnosis is made by examination of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Causes

Tuberculous Meningitis is a rare complication that occurs in some patients who have or have had tuberculosis (TB), especially miliary tuberculosis. It can also occur in people who have been exposed to the bacteria that causes TB. This form of meningitis is caused by a specific bacteria known as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. (For more information on tuberculosis, choose "tuberculosis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

Affected Populations

TBM is usually found in children aged one to five years although it may occur at any age.

Related Disorders

Symptoms of the following disorders may resemble those of Tuberculous Meningitis. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:

In general, Meningitis is characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord. This inflammation may be caused by different types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, malignant tumors, or reactions to certain injections into the spinal canal. (For more information on other forms of meningitis, choose "meningitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Encephalitis is an infection of the brain which is brought on by one of several different types of viruses. Encephalitis may also be caused by hypersensitivity initiated by some other non-viral, foreign protein. Many of the symptoms are similar to those of TBM, such as a stiff neck, altered reflexes, confusion, speech disorders, convulsions, paralysis and coma. (For more information choose "Encephalitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Standard Therapies

Meningitis is usually treated with antibiotic drugs used against the bacteria causing the infection. These may include isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, and ethambutol. Treatment should last for at least 9 months to one year. Corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone may also be of benefit.

Investigational Therapies

Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. Government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.

For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:

Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: prpl@cc.nih.gov

For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com

Organizations related to Meningitis, Tuberculous

References

TEXTBOOKS
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 2nd Ed.: David E. Larson, ed.-in-chief; William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1996. Pp. 481-82.

The Merck Manual, 17th Ed.: Mark H. Beers, M.D. and Robert Berkow, M.D., Eds. Merck Research Laboratories, 1999. P. 1202.

JOURNAL ARTICLES
A Diagnostic Rule for Tuberculous Meningitis. R. Kumar et al., Arch Dis Child (Sep 1999, 81 (3)). Pp. 221-24.

Tuberculosis of the Central Nervous System. R. K. Garg, Postgrad Med J. (Mar 1999, 75 (881)). Pp. 133-40.

Images in Clinical Medicine. Viallard J. F. et al., N Engl J Med. (Oct 1999, 341 (16)). P. 1197.

Radiological Case of the Month. Miliary Tuberculosis with Meningitis. G. A. Jackman, Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. (Aug 1999, 153 (8)). Pp. 887-88.

Diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis by Detection of Antigen and Antibodies in CSF and Sera. K. L. Srivastava et al., Indian Pediatr. (Apr 1998, 35 (9)). Pp. 841-50.

The information in NORD’s Rare Disease Database is for educational purposes only. It should never be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. NORD’s reports provide a brief overview of rare diseases. For more specific information, we encourage you to contact your personal physician or the agencies listed as “Resources” on this report.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) web site, its databases, and the contents thereof are copyrighted by NORD. No part of the NORD web site, databases, or the contents may be copied in any way, including but not limited to the following: electronically downloading, storing in a retrieval system, or redistributing for any commercial purposes without the express written permission of NORD. Permission is hereby granted to print one hard copy of the information on an individual disease for your personal use, provided that such content is in no way modified, and the credit for the source (NORD) and NORD’s copyright notice are included on the printed copy. Any other electronic reproduction or other printed versions is strictly prohibited.

Report last updated: 2009/05/15 00:00:00 GMT+0