Tuberculous meningoencephalitis in Baghdad, 1993-99: A clinical study of 224 cases

Abstract

This study examined all cases of tuberculous meningoencephalitis admitted to Ibn El-Khateeb Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Baghdad from 1993 to 1999. The diagnosis was based on the patient's history, clinical findings, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, microbial isolation and response to antitubercular drug therapy. The findings for cases diagnosed with tuberculous meningoencephalitis were compared with other types of meningitis. There were 224 cases comprising 5% of the total number of meningitis cases admitted during this period. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1. The age range was from 6 months to 72 years and the overall case fatality rate was 21%.