Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Meningitis - tuberculous

Table of Contents

Definition

Tuberculous meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

See also:

  • Meningitis
  • Meningitis - cryptococcal
  • Meningitis - Gram-negative
  • Meningitis - H. influenzae
  • Meningitis - meningococcal
  • Meningitis - pneumococcal
  • Meningitis - staphylococcal

Alternative Names

Tubercular meningitis; TB meningitis


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Tuberculous meningitis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The bacteria spread to the brain from another site in the body.

Risk factors include a history of:

  • AIDS
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Pulmonary tuberculosis
  • Weakened immune system

Tuberculous meningitis is a very rare disorder in the U.S.



Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)