TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most serious form of tuberculosis (TB), causing high mortality or disability. Clinical management of the disease is challenging due to the limitations of existing diagnostic approaches. Knowledge about the immunology and pathogenesis of the disease is currently limited, further research is urgently needed to improve understanding of the immunopathogenesis of the disease and guide towards the identification of targets that may be useful for vaccines or host-directed therapeutics. In this review, current knowledge on the immunology and pathogenesis of TBM was summarized, as well as existing and new approaches, especially biomarker-based, that may be useful in the management of TBM. Research gaps were identified, and guidance provided for research that could lead to the development of new tools for disease control in the near future.