TUBERCULOUSMENINGITIS结核性脑膜炎LongnanHospitalChenjing•Tuberculousmeningitisisaninfectionofthemembranes膜coveringthebrainandspinalcord(meninges)
•Tuberculosis(TB)iscausedbythebacteriumMycobacteriumtuberculosis结核分枝杆菌andisannuallyresponsiblefornearlytwomilliondeathsworldwide
•Athirdoftheworld'spopulationiscurrentlyinfectedwiththeTBbacillus,andmorethaneightmillionnewcasesarediagnosedeachyear
•Tuberculousmeningitismustbeconsideredinpatientswhopresentwithaconfusionalstate,especiallyifthereisahistoryofpulmonarytuberculosis,alcoholism,corticosteroidtreatment,HIVinfection,orotherconditionassociatedwithimpairedimmuneresponses
•Itshouldalsobeconsideredinpatientsformareas(eg,Asia,Africa)orgroups(eg,thehomelessandinner-citydrugusers)withahighincidenceoftuberculosis
Causes•Riskfactorsincludeahistoryof: