Is TB meningitis curable?
If diagnosed and treated early 95% of patients should recover completely, but if the disease progresses, death and disability are common despite microbiological cure. TB meningitis occurs most frequently in the developing world, where the diagnosis is often delayed due to confusion with other forms of meningitis.
How does TB cause meningitis?
Tuberculous (TB) meningitis occurs when tuberculosis bacteria (Myobacterium tuberculosis ) invade the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
How is tuberculosis meningitis diagnosed?
Definitive diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis can be made by demonstration of mycobacteria in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), by direct staining or culture.
What is tuberculosis meningitis?
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.
What antibiotics are given for meningitis?
Commonly used meningitis treatments include a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins, especially Claforan (cefotaxime) and Rocephin (ceftriaxone). Various penicillin-type antibiotics, aminoglycoside drugs such as gentamicin, and others, are also used.
Do antibiotics treat viral meningitis?
Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral meningitis. However, antibiotics do fight bacteria, so they are very important when treating bacterial meningitis. People who develop severe illness, or are at risk for developing severe illness, may need care in a hospital.
Which type of meningitis is worse?
Viral meningitis is the more common and less serious form — it usually clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. Bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous and can be fatal if not treated quickly with antibiotics.
Is there a vaccine for bacterial meningitis?
Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are vaccines for 4 types of bacteria that can cause meningitis: Meningococcal vaccines help protect against N. meningitidis.
What is the drug of choice for meningitis?
Since then, penicillin has remained the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis. However, current IDSA guidelines list ceftriaxone or cefotaxime as the drugs of choice. The image below shows indications of increased intracranial pressure, an early complication of bacterial meningitis.