Tuberculous meningitis in Hong Kong: experience in a regional hospital

Citation
W. Mak et al., Tuberculous meningitis in Hong Kong: experience in a regional hospital, INT J TUBE, 2(12), 1998, pp. 1040-1043
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
ISSN journal
10273719 → ACNP
Volume
2
Issue
12
Year of publication
1998
Pages
1040 - 1043
Database
ISI
SICI code
1027-3719(199812)2:12<1040:TMIHKE>2.0.ZU;2-S
Abstract
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains common in Hong Kong. From January 1996 to June 1997, 11 adult patients with TBM presented to Queen Mary Hospital, a regional hospital in Hong Kong. The annual incidence of TBM was estimate d at 1.8 per 100000 population. Nine patients were local Chinese, and only one patient had the acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In contrast to the classical presentation as a chronic indolent disease, our patients presented acutely: the mean duration from onset of symptoms to presentation was 4.8 days (range 0-10). The most common presenting symptoms were headac he (64%), fever (46%), or both (36%), with focal deficits occurring in 64% of patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and polymerase chain reactio n (PCR) were positive in 30% and 29% of cases. Mean CSF cell count, protein and glucose levels were 340 x 10(6)/L, 267 mg/dL, and 2.3 mmol/L, respecti vely. Extra-neural tuberculosis occurred in 46% of cases. All patients surv ived and responded to treatment. Drug-induced hepatotoxicity was common; 64 % of patients developed biochemical hepatitis.