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Last updated: May 15, 2009
Years published: 1990, 1999, 2007, 2009
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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.
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.
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).
TBM is usually found in children aged one to five years although it may occur at any age.
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.
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: [email protected]
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
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.
NORD strives to open new assistance programs as funding allows. If we don’t have a program for you now, please continue to check back with us.
NORD and MedicAlert Foundation have teamed up on a new program to provide protection to rare disease patients in emergency situations.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/medicalert-assistance-program/Ensuring that patients and caregivers are armed with the tools they need to live their best lives while managing their rare condition is a vital part of NORD’s mission.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/rare-disease-educational-support/This first-of-its-kind assistance program is designed for caregivers of a child or adult diagnosed with a rare disorder.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/No patient organizations found related to this disease state.
The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
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