Regan S Solomons1, Marie Wessels1, Douwe H Visser2, Peter R Donald1, Ben J Marais3, Johan F Schoeman1, Anne M van Furth2. 1. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. 2. Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity Institute and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) research is hampered by low numbers of microbiologically confirmed TBM cases and the fact that they may represent a select part of the disease spectrum. A uniform TBM research case definition was developed to address these limitations, but its ability to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis has not been evaluated. METHODS: We assessed all children treated for TBM from 1985 to 2005 at Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. For comparative purposes, a group of children with culture-confirmed bacterial meningitis, diagnosed between 2003 and 2009, was identified from the National Health Laboratory Service database. The performance of the proposed case definition was evaluated in culture-confirmed TBM and bacterial meningitis cases. RESULTS: Of 554 children treated for TBM, 66 (11.9%) were classified as "definite TBM," 408 (73.6%) as "probable TBM," and 72 (13.0%) as "possible TBM." "Probable TBM" criteria identified culture-confirmed TBM with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 100%; sensitivity was increased but specificity reduced when using "possible TBM" criteria (sensitivity 100%, specificity 56%). CONCLUSIONS: "Probable TBM" criteria accurately differentiated TBM from bacterial meningitis and could be considered for use in clinical trials; reduced sensitivity in children with early TBM (stage 1 disease) remains a concern.
BACKGROUND:Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) research is hampered by low numbers of microbiologically confirmed TBM cases and the fact that they may represent a select part of the disease spectrum. A uniform TBM research case definition was developed to address these limitations, but its ability to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis has not been evaluated. METHODS: We assessed all children treated for TBM from 1985 to 2005 at Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. For comparative purposes, a group of children with culture-confirmed bacterial meningitis, diagnosed between 2003 and 2009, was identified from the National Health Laboratory Service database. The performance of the proposed case definition was evaluated in culture-confirmed TBM and bacterial meningitis cases. RESULTS: Of 554 children treated for TBM, 66 (11.9%) were classified as "definite TBM," 408 (73.6%) as "probable TBM," and 72 (13.0%) as "possible TBM." "Probable TBM" criteria identified culture-confirmed TBM with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 100%; sensitivity was increased but specificity reduced when using "possible TBM" criteria (sensitivity 100%, specificity 56%). CONCLUSIONS: "Probable TBM" criteria accurately differentiated TBM from bacterial meningitis and could be considered for use in clinical trials; reduced sensitivity in children with early TBM (stage 1 disease) remains a concern.
Authors: Nguyen Duc Bang; Maxine Caws; Thai Thanh Truc; Tran Ngoc Duong; Nguyen Huy Dung; Dang Thi Minh Ha; Guy E Thwaites; Doortje Heemskerk; Joel Tarning; Laura Merson; Pham Van Toi; Jeremy J Farrar; Marcel Wolbers; Thomas Pouplin; Jeremy N Day Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2016-10-18 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Young Seob Jeong; Minjun Jeon; Joung Ha Park; Min Chul Kim; Eunyoung Lee; Se Yoon Park; Yu Mi Lee; Sungim Choi; Seong Yeon Park; Ki Ho Park; Sung Han Kim; Min Huok Jeon; Eun Ju Choo; Tae Hyong Kim; Mi Suk Lee; Tark Kim Journal: Infect Chemother Date: 2020-12-11