Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

23 December 2016 : Case report  USA

Tuberculous Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Host: A Case Report

Patient complains / malpractice, Rare disease

Suchin R. Khanna1EF*, Stephen M. Kralovic2E, Rajan Prakash1E

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.900762

Am J Case Rep 2016; 17:977-981

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous meningitis is very rare in the United States in immunocompetent hosts. Risk factors are similar to those of pulmonary tuberculosis, including poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, a compromised immune system, and coming from an endemic area. Meningeal tuberculosis mortality and other outcomes have changed little over time despite effective therapies due to delay in diagnosis because of its rarity, variable presentation, and often indolent course.

CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a 57-year-old male immigrant from Senegal with no significant past medical history and no previous history of tuberculosis or evidence of immune compromise. He presented to the hospital with headache and altered mental status and was subsequently diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis.

CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare case of tuberculous meningitis in an immunocompetent host, questioning the conventional view that tuberculous meningitis is a disease of immunocompromised individuals. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong clinical suspicion of tuberculous meningitis even in an immunocompetent patient in a geographical area with low prevalence if the patient has risk factors. Missed or delayed diagnosis is commonly fatal.

Keywords: Immunocompetence, Rare Diseases, Tuberculosis, Meningeal

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

Case report  Denmark

Neonatal Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome Linked to CHAT Gene Variants: A Case Report and Treatment Insights

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.946839  

0:00

Case report  Japan

Arm-Behind-the-Back Position for Breast Cancer Radiotherapy in Patients with Lupus Erythematosus and Should...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.946674  

0:00

Case report  Italy

Multiple Myeloma Presenting as Breast Metastasis: Diagnostic Challenges and Case Analysis

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.945853  

0:00

Case report  Luxembourg

Agenesis of the Dorsal Pancreas and Its Possible Link to Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Case Insights

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947512  

0:00

Most Viewed Current Articles

21 Jun 2024 : Case report  China (mainland) 96,276

Intracranial Parasitic Fetus in a Living Infant: A Case Study with Surgical Intervention and Prognosis Anal...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.944371

Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e944371

0:00

07 Mar 2024 : Case report  USA 52,197

Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United States

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133

Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133

0:00

20 Nov 2023 : Case report  Saudi Arabia 31,128

Azithromycin Treatment for Acne Vulgaris: A Case Report on the Risk of Clostridioides difficile Infection

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.941424

Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e941424

0:00

18 Feb 2024 : Case report  Japan 23,383

A Case of Thoracic Empyema Caused by Actinomyces naeslundii

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943030

Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943030

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923