What is tuberculous meningoencephalitis?

What is tuberculous meningoencephalitis?

Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) is a form of meningitis characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord and caused by a specific bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In TBM, the disorder develops gradually.

Why are corticosteroids contraindicated in TB?

Hence, the use of corticosteroids is not recommended in tubercular pleural effusion. Adverse outcomes are common among patients with extrapulmonary TB despite the availability of effective anti-tubercular treatment. Corticosteroids might potentially improve these adverse outcomes when used as adjunctive treatment.

Why do we use steroids in TB meningitis?

Corticosteroids are commonly used in addition to antituberculous drugs for treating people with the condition. These drugs help reduce inflammation of the surface of the brain and associated blood vessels, and are thought to decrease pressure inside the brain, and thus reduce the risk of death.

Can TB patient take dexamethasone?

In summary, this study provides clinical evidence that early treatment with dexamethasone and antituberculosis drugs improves survival among patients over 14 years of age with tuberculous meningitis, regardless of disease severity. However, dexamethasone probably does not prevent severe disability in the survivors.

Can you get TB in your brain?

Sometimes, the bacteria will travel to the meninges, which are the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Infected meninges can result in a life-threatening condition known as meningeal tuberculosis. Meningeal tuberculosis is also known as tubercular meningitis or TB meningitis.

Can steroids reactivate tuberculosis?

Steroids will cause generalized immunosuppression and qualitative and quantitative local lung immune defense defect, resulting in increased risk of tuberculosis because of reactivation of latent infection or relapse or acquiring new infection.

What is the treatment of tuberculous meningitis?

The best antimicrobial agents in the treatment of TBM include isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA), and streptomycin (SM), all of which enter cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) readily in the presence of meningeal inflammation. Ethambutol is less effective in meningeal disease unless used in high doses.

Is TB meningitis transferable?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious, airborne disease that typically affects the lungs. TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If the infection is not treated quickly, the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to infect other organs and tissues.

Are steroids given in TB?

Corticosteroids are often used as an adjunct in the treatment of various forms of tuberculosis (TB) and for the prevention of complications, such as constrictive pericarditis, hydrocephalus, focal neurological deficits, pleural adhesions, and intestinal strictures.

Can steroids make TB worse?

Since steroids given in concert with antituberculous drugs do not result in the progression of tuberculosis or make the disease worse, and because no harmful effects can be ascribed to steroid therapy in this setting, some investigators over the years have tried to demonstrate the benefits of steroids in the various …