Dataset Information

Improving the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis: A prospective, international, multicentre comparison of conventional and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, GeneXpert, and culture of cerebrospinal fluid.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the severest form of tuberculosis, but current diagnostic tests are insensitive. Recent reports suggest simple modifications to conventional cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining may greatly improve sensitivity. We sought to define the performance of modified and conventional ZN stain for TBM diagnosis.

Methods

In hospitals in Vietnam, South Africa and Indonesia we conducted a prospective study of modified ZN with or without cytospin, conventional ZN smear, GeneXpert, and culture on CSF in adults with suspected TBM.

Results

A total of 618 individuals were enrolled across 3 sites. Compared with the TBM clinical diagnostic gold standard for research (definite probable or possible TBM), sensitivity of conventional ZN and modified ZN with cytospin were 33.9% and 34.5% respectively (p?=?1.0 for the difference between tests), compared with culture 31.8% and Xpert 25.1%. Using culture as a reference, sensitivities of conventional ZN, modified ZN with cytospin, and Xpert were 66.4%, 67.5%, and 72.3%, respectively. Higher CSF volume and lactate, and lower CSF:blood glucose ratio were independently associated with microbiologically confirmed TBM.

Conclusions

Modified ZN stain does not improve diagnosis of TBM. Currently available tests are insensitive, but testing large CSF volumes improves performance. New diagnostic tests for TBM are urgently required.

SUBMITTER: Heemskerk AD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6293313 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Improving the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis: A prospective, international, multicentre comparison of conventional and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, GeneXpert, and culture of cerebrospinal fluid.

Heemskerk A Dorothee AD Donovan Joseph J Thu Do Dang Anh DDA Marais Suzaan S Chaidir Lidya L Dung Vu Thi Mong VTM Centner Chad M CM Ha Vu Thi Ngoc VTN Annisa Jessi J Dian Sofiati S Bovijn Louise L Mai Nguyen Thi Hoang NTH Phu Nguyen Hoan NH Chau Nguyen Van Vinh NVV Ganiem Ahmad Rizal AR Van Cao Thao CT Geskus Ronald B RB Thuong Nguyen Thuy Thuong NTT Ruslami Rovina R Meintjes Graeme G van Crevel Reinout R Wilkinson Robert J RJ Thwaites Guy E GE

The Journal of infection 20180912 6

<h4>Objectives</h4>Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the severest form of tuberculosis, but current diagnostic tests are insensitive. Recent reports suggest simple modifications to conventional cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining may greatly improve sensitivity. We sought to define the performance of modified and conventional ZN stain for TBM diagnosis.<h4>Methods</h4>In hospitals in Vietnam, South Africa and Indonesia we conducted a prospective study of modified ZN with or witho ...[more]

PMID: 30217659

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundMeningitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We evaluated the performance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay versus traditional approaches for diagnosing tuberculosis meningitis (TBM).MethodsPatients were adults (n = 37) presenting with suspected TBM to the Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, Lima, Peru, during 12 months until 1st January 2015. Each participant had a single CSF specimen that was divided into aliquots that were concurrently tested for M. tuberculosis using GeneXpert, Ziehl-Neelsen smear and culture on solid and liquid media. Drug susceptibility testing used Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT 960) and the proportions method.Results81% (30/37) of patients received a final clinical diagnosis of TBM, of whom 63% (19/30, 95% confidence intervals, CI: 44-80%) were HIV-positive. 22% (8/37, 95%CI: 9.8-38%), of patients had definite TBM. Because definite TBM was defined by positivity in any laboratory test, all laboratory tests had 100% specificity. Considering the 30 patients who had a clinical diagnosis of TBM: diagnostic sensitivity was 23% (7/30, 95%CI: 9.9-42%) for GeneXpert and was the same for all culture results combined; considerably greater than 7% (2/30, 95%CI: 0.82-22%) for microscopy; whereas all laboratory tests had poor negative predictive values (20-23%). Considering only the 8 patients with definite TBM: diagnostic sensitivity was 88% (7/8, 95%CI: 47-100%) for GeneXpert; 75% (6/8, 95%CI: 35-97%) for MGIT culture or LJ culture; 50% (4/8, 95%CI 16-84) for Ogawa culture and 25% (2/8, 95%CI: 3.2-65%) for microscopy. GeneXpert and microscopy provided same-day results, whereas culture took 20-56 days. GeneXpert provided same-day rifampicin-susceptibility results, whereas culture-based testing took 32-71 days. 38% (3/8, 95%CI: 8.5-76%) of patients with definite TBM with data had evidence of drug-resistant TB, but 73% (22/30) of all clinically diagnosed TBM (definite, probable, and possible TBM) had no drug-susceptibility results available.ConclusionsCompared with traditional culture-based methods of CSF testing, GeneXpert had similar yield and faster results for both the detection of M. tuberculosis and drug-susceptibility testing. Including use of the GeneXpert has the capacity to improve the diagnosis of TBM cases.

Project description:BackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations play an important role in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However, their yield in the diagnosis of infant TBM remains unclear. This scoping review aims to detail the role of CSF examination for the diagnosis of infant TBM.MethodsA comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed to identify articles published prior to October 14th, 2021. Articles describing the results of CSF exanimations among infant TBM were eligible for inclusion. Data extracted from each study included age, sex, CSF microbiological evidence (such as AFB smear, TB PCR, and TB culture), and routine CSF examinations (such as appearance, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, protein, and glucose).ResultsA total of 98 cases were included in the final analysis. The yield of microbiological methods was listed as follows: CSF AFB smear, 20.5% (9/44); CSF TB culture 47.5% (29/61); CSF TB PCR, 65.0% (26/40); the combination of them, 57.3% (47/82). According to Marais criteria, the positivities of CSF examinations were calculated as follows: WBC count (ref, 50-500/μL), 65.5% (55/84); lymphocyte predominance (ref, >0.5), 75.4% (49/65); total protein (ref, >100 mg/dL), 67.8% (59/87); glucose (ref, <2.2 mmol/L, or CSF/serum ratio < 0.5), 68.2% (58/85).ConclusionsOur data demonstrated that routine microbiological tools for infant TBM diagnosis have a sensitivity ranging from 20.5% to 65.0%, and most CSF features are non-specific and insufficient to predict a diagnosis of infant TBM. Therefore, further effort is required to develop new tools for infant TBM diagnosis.Key messages: Routine microbiological tools (such as acid-fast bacilli smear, PCR, and culture) have an unsatisfactory sensitivity for infant TBM diagnosis, and most CSF features are non-specific and insufficient to predict a diagnosis of infant TBM. Therefore, further effort is required to develop new tools for infant TBM diagnosis.

Project description:Background: In Africa, tuberculosis is generally regarded as persisting as one of the most devastating infectious diseases. The pediatric population is particularly vulnerable, with infection of the brain in the form of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) being the most severe manifestation. TBM is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages because of its non-specific clinical presentation. Of particular concern is that late diagnosis, and subsequent delayed treatment, leads to high risk of long-term neurological sequelae, and even death. Using advanced technology and scientific expertise, we are intent on further describing the biochemistry behind this devastating neuroinflammatory disease, with the goal of improving upon its early diagnosis. Method: We used the highly sensitive analytical platform of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze amino acid profiles of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from a cohort of 33 South African pediatric TBM cases, compared to 34 controls. Results: Through the use of a stringent quality assurance procedure and various statistical techniques, we were able to confidently identify five amino acids as being significantly elevated in TBM cases, namely, alanine, asparagine, glycine, lysine, and proline. We found also in an earlier untargeted metabolomics investigation that alanine can be attributed to increased CSF lactate levels, and lysine as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Alanine, like glycine, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Asparagine, as with proline, is linked to the glutamate-glutamine cycle. Asparagine is associated with the removal of increased nitrites in the brain, whereas elevated proline coincides with the classic biochemical marker of increased CSF protein in TBM. All five discriminatory amino acids are linked to ammonia due to increased nitrites in TBM. Conclusion: A large amount of untapped biochemical information is present in CSF of TBM cases, of which amino acid profiling through GC-MS has potential in aiding in earlier diagnosis, and hence crucial earlier treatment.

Project description:BackgroundTuberculous meningitis (TBM) is an important disease leading to morbidity, disability and mortality that primarily affects children and immune-depressed patients. Specific neuromarkers predicting outcomes, severity and inflammatory response are still lacking. In recent years an increasing number of evidences show a possible role for infective agents in developing neurodegenerative diseases.MethodsWe retrospectively included 13 HIV-negative patients presenting with TBM and we compared them with two control groups: one of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of AD, and one of those with syphilis where lumbar punctures excluded central nervous system involvement. Lumbar punctures were performed for clinical reasons and CSF biomarkers were routinely available: we analyzed blood brain barrier permeability (CSF to serum albumin ratio, "CSAR"), intrathecal IgG synthesis, (CSF to serum IgG ratio), inflammation (neopterin), amyloid deposition (Aβ1-42), neuronal damage (T-tau, P-tau, 14.3.3) and astrocytosis (S-100 β).ResultsTBM patients were 83 % male and 67 % Caucasian with a median age of 51 years (24.5-63.5 IQR). Apart from altered CSAR (median value 18.4, 17.1-30.9 IQR), neopterin (14.3 ng/ml, 9.7-18.8) and IgG ratios (15.4, 7.9-24.9), patients showed very low levels of Aβ1-42 in their CSF (348.5 pg/mL,125-532.2), even lower compared to AD and controls [603 pg/mL (IQR 528-797) and 978 (IQR 789-1178)]. Protein 14.3.3 tested altered in 38.5 % cases. T-tau, P-tau and S100Beta were in the range of normality. Altered low level of Aβ1-42 correlated over time with classical TBM findings and altered neuromarkers.ConclusionsCSF Biomarkers from patients with TBM were compatible with inflammation, blood brain barrier damage and impairment in amyloid-beta metabolism. Amyloid-beta could be tested as a prognostic markers, backing the routine use of available neuromarkers. To our knowledge this is the first case showing such low levels of Aβ1-42 in TBM; its accumulation, drove by neuroinflammation related to infections, can be central in understanding neurodegenerative diseases.

Dataset Information

Improving the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis: A prospective, international, multicentre comparison of conventional and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, GeneXpert, and culture of cerebrospinal fluid.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Improving the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis: A prospective, international, multicentre comparison of conventional and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, GeneXpert, and culture of cerebrospinal fluid.

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