GeneXpert MTB/Rif to Diagnose Tuberculous Meningitis: Perhaps the First Test but not the Last

Evaluation of GeneXpert MTB/RIF for Diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis. Microbiological confirmation is rare, and treatment is often delayed, increasing mortality and morbidity. The GeneXpert MTB/RIF test was evaluated in a large cohort of patients with suspected tuberculous meningitis. Three hundred seventy-nine patients presenting with suspected tuberculous meningitis to the Hospital for Tropic...

Using cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis with GeneXpert.

We read with interest the systematic review by C. Denkinger and co-workers on the use of the Xpert MTB/ RIF assay for diagnosing extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) [1], particularly in light of World Health Organization (WHO) endorsement of Xpert MTB/RIF and its recent policy statement on extrapulmonary TB [1–3]. Given the severe clinical course and high mortality associated with TB meningitis, c...

Repetitive perhaps, but certainly not boring

Parental Advice: Given Perhaps, but Not Received.

We all think we give good advice, and we think we do it well. We’ve mastered the anticipatory guidance section of the well-child or nursery visit. We have our formula: we cover the salient topics, throw in some personal experience, and assume our parental advice on child rearing has been received and understood. Unfortunately, as shown by Eisenberg et al in this issue of Pediatrics, we appear t...

Positive bromide partition test in the absence of tuberculous meningitis.

Five cases of lymphocytic meningitis are described where a Bromide Partition Test was performed and proved positive at levels usually considered consistent with tuberculous meningitis. Three of these cases were ultimately shown to have herpes simplex viral encephalitis, one had Listeria monocytogenes in the CSF and the fifth patient recovered without treatment and was thought to have had a vira...