Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report:

• Meningitis
• Encephalitis

Tuberculous Meningitis involves the central nervous system. Headaches and behavioral changes may be noticed initially. Fever, headache, a stiff neck, and vomiting may also occur. Symptoms among older children and adults may progress from irritability to confusion, drowsiness, and stupor, possibly leading to coma.

Untreated, this disorder can lead to seizures, hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain cavity), deafness, mental retardation, paralysis of one side of the body (hemiparesis) and other neurological abnormalities. (For more information on this disorder, choose "hydrocephalus" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

Diagnosis is made by examination of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Tuberculous Meningitis is a rare complication that occurs in some patients who have or have had tuberculosis (TB), especially miliary tuberculosis. It can also occur in people who have been exposed to the bacteria that causes TB. This form of meningitis is caused by a specific bacteria known as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. (For more information on tuberculosis, choose "tuberculosis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

TBM is usually found in children aged one to five years although it may occur at any age.

Symptoms of the following disorders may resemble those of Tuberculous Meningitis. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:

In general, Meningitis is characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord. This inflammation may be caused by different types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, malignant tumors, or reactions to certain injections into the spinal canal. (For more information on other forms of meningitis, choose "meningitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Encephalitis is an infection of the brain which is brought on by one of several different types of viruses. Encephalitis may also be caused by hypersensitivity initiated by some other non-viral, foreign protein. Many of the symptoms are similar to those of TBM, such as a stiff neck, altered reflexes, confusion, speech disorders, convulsions, paralysis and coma. (For more information choose "Encephalitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Meningitis is usually treated with antibiotic drugs used against the bacteria causing the infection. These may include isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, and ethambutol. Treatment should last for at least 9 months to one year. Corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone may also be of benefit.

Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. Government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.

For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:

Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: prpl@cc.nih.gov

For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com

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