Tuberculosis Meningitis in People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Health Center in the Brazilian Amazon: A Silent Disease

• Published in: Case reports in infectious diseases 2022, Vol.2022, p.8048310-8048310
• Main Authors: Eudes de Carvalho Neri, José, Cristine Passos de Souza, Aline, Carolina Paes Boulhosa, Ana, Caroline Amador Ferreira, Rafaela, Darlan de Souza Soares, Chester, Vieira Costa, Cleuson, Caesar Mendes Soares Monteiro, Julius
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2090-6625
• DOI: 10.1155/2022/8048310

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is one of the ten leading causes of death worldwide and the leading cause of infection in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). It is a major public health problem in Brazil and worldwide. MethodsThis was a case series study of five meningeal tuberculosis and PLWHA coinfection patients admitted between June 2019 and June 2020, in a public hospital in the northern region of Brazil. Associated with clinical cases, we propose a discussion of the different laboratory diagnostic methods available in Brazil, with the aim of increasing the diagnosis of this very serious disease, with high mortality. ResultsThe diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis is a challenge in clinical practice; thus, the clinical cases presented help the physician to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease and improve the confirmatory diagnosis through acid-alcoholic resistant bacilli techniques, molecular testing, and mycobacteria culture in the cerebrospinal fluid. ConclusionKnowing the diagnostic methods of tuberculous meningitis and its characteristics is of paramount importance to increase the correct diagnosis and reduce mortality in delayed treatment.