Tuberculosis Meningitis, still Misunderstood

Abstract

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 9 millions of people developed tuberculosis in 2013, and 1.5 million died, including 360 000 people who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) . 133 years after Robert Koch discovered the bacillus that cause the disease, tuberculosis remains a major global health problem. Tuberculosis meningitis (TM) represents nearly 2% of all the cases. In HIV-infected patients the rate increases roughly 10%. This form of presentation is particularly important because of the significant high rate of mortality and disability (about half of the people affected) . Reason why it is considers the most severe mode of tuberculosis in children, adult and particularly in HIV diseased patient´s. The vaccination (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) offers protection against disseminated forms of childhood tuberculosis, especially meningitis, but is not available worldwide. Scholars and guidelines recommend early initiation of empiric therapy in patients with suspected TM. Despite it has been recognize as the main factor determining outcome