Tuberculous meningitis in HIV-infected and non-infected patients: comparison of cerebrospinal fluid findings

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2009 Feb;13(2):269-71.

Abstract

We performed a retrospective comparison of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics and drug susceptibility profile in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and non-infected patients with a diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis. HIV-infected patients had a higher frequency of non-inflammatory CSF (absence of pleocytosis) and of infection by multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Protein CSF levels were lower in HIV-infected patients, while and glucose concentration was similar in both groups. Hospital mortality was significantly higher in HIV-infected patients (63.3% [64/101] vs. 17.5% [7/40]).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / chemistry
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / analysis
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Ethambutol / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Glucose / cerebrospinal fluid
  • HIV Infections / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Isoniazid / therapeutic use
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Pyrazinamide / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / drug therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins
  • Pyrazinamide
  • Ethambutol
  • Glucose
  • Isoniazid