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$Unique_ID{BRK03996}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Meningitis, Tuberculous}
$Subject{Meningitis Tuberculous Tuberculous Meningitis TBM Meningitis
Encephalitis }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
806:
Meningitis, Tuberculous
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Meningitis, Tuberculous) is
not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next
page to find alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this
article.
Synonyms
Tuberculous Meningitis
TBM
Information on the following disorders may be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Meningitis
Encephalitis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) is a form of meningitis caused by a specific
bacteria known as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Meningitis is characterized by
inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord.
This inflammation can begin suddenly (acute) or develop gradually (subacute).
In Tuberculous Meningitis, the disorder develops gradually. Symptoms may
include fever, headache, and a stiff neck, sometimes with aching muscles.
Nausea, vomiting and other symptoms may occur. 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, "communicating
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 communicating
hydrocephalus, choose "hydrocephalus" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database).
Testing for Tuberculous Meningitis may include imaging techniques such as
CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 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 Population
Tuberculous Meningitis is a rare complication that occurs in some patients
who have or have had tuberculosis (TB), or were exposed to the TB bacteria.
It 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 a brain infection. There are different types of this
disorder which are caused by different types of viruses. Encephalitis may
also be caused by hypersensitivity initiated by a virus or other protein that
is foreign to the body. Symptoms may include headache, drowsiness,
hyperactivity, and/or general weakness. This disorder may have some symptoms
similar to those of Meningitis 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).
Therapies: Standard
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.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through August
1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Tuberculous Meningitis, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5717
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3534
References
CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th Ed.: James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Editors; W.B. Saunders Co., 1988. Pp. 1691.
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown
and Co., 1987. Pp. 1497, 1502.
THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 1, 15th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief;
Merck, Sharp, and Dohme Laboratories, 1987. Pp. 121-122.
Gd-DTPA-ENHANCED MR IMAGING OF THE BRAIN IN PATIENTS WITH MENINGITIS:
COMPARISON WITH CT. K. H. Chang, et al.; AJR Am J Roentgenol (April 1990;
issue 154 (4)). Pp. 809-816.
TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS IN CHILDREN: TREATMENT WITH ISONIAZID AND
RIFAMPICIN FOR TWELVE MONTHS. P. Visudhiphan and S. Chiemchanya; J Pediatr
(May 1989; issue 114 (5)). Pp. 875-879.