Treatment of central nervous system tuberculosis infections and neurological complications of tuberculosis treatment

Curr Pharm Des. 2011;17(27):2940-7. doi: 10.2174/138161211797470237.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) with central nervous system (CNS) manifestation is a form of TB with a high mortality and morbidity. Tuberculous meningitis (TM) is the most common form of CNS-TB. Although diagnosis of CNS-TB can be challenging, early treatment of CNS-TB is related to a better outcome. If CNS-TB is suspected, even though the clinical picture is not specific, it should be immediately treated. For the treatment of CNS-TB, knowledge of the penetration across the blood-brain barrier of the various antituberculosis agents used in TB treatment is important. These will be described here in order to serve as a guide in choosing a treatment for CNS-TB. Corticosteroids have an evidence-based value in the treatment of TM and so are recommended. As for thalidomide use in CNS-TB, sound evidence is still lacking. We will also include a description of the adverse neurotoxic effects of the various other agents including their psychiatric, ototoxic and ophthalmic adverse effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antitubercular Agents / adverse effects
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System / drug therapy*
  • Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Glucocorticoids