Publication at First Faculty of Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine |
2005
Abstract
A case of a 38-year-old female who succumbed to tuberculous meningitis. At the beginning, the disease manifested as aseptic meningitis.
However, the first analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed a reduced CSF/blood glucose ratio and borderline concentration of chlorides. Specialized examination of the CSF demonstrated an increase in the percentage of NK cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes, CSF levels of IL-6, IL-8 and cortisol.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in the CSF both with culture and PCR method. Intrathecal antituberculous antibodies were negative.
The authors discuss a diagnostic approach to tuberculous meningitis in a region with a low prevalence of tuberculosis