Improving the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis: a prospective, international, multicentre comparison of conventional and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, GeneXpert, and culture of cerebrospinal fluid

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most devastating form of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Over half of treated TBM patients die or suffer severe neurological sequelae1, largely due to late diagnosis. For HIV co-infected patients TBM mortality is around 60%2,3. Worldwide, smear microscopy on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following conventional Ziehl-Neelsen staining (CZN) is insensitive. Culture of MTB takes at least 2 weeks and is therefore too slow to be clinically relevant during the acute phase.

Source: Journal of Infection - September 12, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: A. Dorothee Heemskerk, Joseph Donovan, Do Dang Anh Thu, Suzaan Marais, Lidya Chaidir, Vu Thi Mong Dung, Chad M. Centner, Vu Thi Ngoc Ha, Jessi Annisa, Sofiati Dian, Louise Bovijn, Nguyen Thi Hoang Mai, Nguyen Hoan Phu, Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Ahmad Rizal Ga Source Type: research