Tuberculous Meningitis Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Tuberculous meningitis remains the most lethal form of tuberculosis. Despite significant physiological differences adults and children with tuberculous meningitis receive similar treatment and are often grouped together in research. Consequently, differences in tuberculous meningitis characteristics across the lifespan are poorly understood but may be relevant to developing more effective and age-appropriate interventions. In this review we discuss potential age-specific considerations in pathogenesis and pathophysiology, and review literature over the last 5 years to describe clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes across age groups. Children aged <5 years are vulnerable to tuberculosis disease and dissemination due to an immature immune system and the developing brain is highly susceptible to injury associated with neuroinflammation, leading to a greater likelihood of disability that has lifelong impact. Amongst adults, those with human immunodeficiency virus and older people are at greatest risk of death, but more research into the frequency of neurocognitive disability is needed.

Keywords: adults; children; outcome; pathogenesis; tuberculous meningitis.