Tuberculous meningitis is a serious complication of tuberculosis that can be fatal if left untreated. It develops when tuberculosis bacteria invade the central nervous system. Symptoms include fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Effective treatments are available, but the disease is more common in developing countries with poor sanitation and limited access to healthcare.
Tuberculous meningitis is a complication that develops from an active case of tuberculosis. When tuberculosis bacteria colonize central nervous system tissue, they can cause meningitis. A rare condition in developed nations, tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis are still major health problems in many nations. If left untreated, the disease is fatal.
Tuberculous meningitis develops in two stages. In the first stage of the infection, tuberculosis bacilli invade the body through the respiratory system. Exposure to an infected person’s saliva, either by direct contact or through the air, can cause a tuberculosis infection. The infection usually starts in the lungs but can spread to other organs as the disease progresses.
Once the TB infection takes hold, a complication called TB meningitis can develop. If the meninges or brain parenchyma become infected with tuberculosis, lesions can form around the central nervous system. These legions grow in size and can break apart. If these legions rupture into the subarachnoid space, which is a small cavity on the surface of the brain, the condition develops into meningitis.
Symptoms of tuberculous meningitis, which come on gradually, include fever, nausea, headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, and changes in mental status. This condition can cause seizures, hearing loss, fluid buildup in the brain or skull, and brain damage. If left untreated, the disease is fatal.
Although tuberculous meningitis is a serious condition, there are effective treatments available. Patients are given a number of anti-tuberculosis drugs at the same time and continue to take the drugs for at least 12 months. The disease can recur, so frequent follow-ups are required. Early treatment of tuberculosis usually prevents the development of meningitis.
Tuberculous meningitis can be positively identified through the use of a spinal tap. Spinal fluid collection allows healthcare professionals to determine if a patient is suffering from any form of meningitis. Tuberculosis can be identified through blood tests, chest X-rays, and skin tests. The results of many of these tests may take some time, so some doctors may start treatment if tuberculous meningitis is suspected. Patients have a better chance of surviving the disease and not having complications if they are treated early.
This disease is relatively rare in developed nations. In countries with poor sanitation, where many people lack access to healthcare, tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis are more common. Mortality rates from these diseases are also much higher in developing countries. Both tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis are considered serious health threats in developing countries.
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