Factors Determining the Clinical Spectrum, Course and Response to Treatment, and Complications in Seronegative Patients with Central Nervous System Tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous meningitis remains a major health issue in the community affecting young adults of both genders predominantly from rural background. In India, the disease continues to kill 2 people every 3 min or nearly 1000 daily, according to the Tuberculosis Control Society India. Tuberculosis (TB) of central nervous system (CNS) is the most devastating form of TB. As this disease is associated with very high prevalence in young adults and will ultimately contribute to great workforce loss, we decided to assess the factors deciding the disease and its course in our patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seronegative patients with probable CNS TB and attending our outpatient department were included and followed up for 2 years. RESULTS: Low body mass index, low proteins, albumin, and low CD3 and CD4, pulmonary TB appears to be a common denominator in a vast majority of these patients. Delay in diagnosis and hyponatremia contributes to morbidity. The location of exudates causes morbidity when they are seen in optochiasmal region. Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccination status in the community appears to be very small. CONCLUSION: CNS TB causes considerable morbidity and mortality in rural young adults resulting in severe manpower loss. Awareness into the possible role of BCG in reducing the complications of TB, role of nutrition and immunity even in seronegative patients and high-degree suspicion in medical professionals can bring down the burden of this deadly disease in the society.