Treatment of tuberculous meningitis in adults with a combination of isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin: a prospective study

Abstract

15 patients with tuberculous meningitis were treated with isoniazid, streptomycin and rifampicin and 14 with isoniazid, streptomycin and ethambutol for 12 months. Both groups received prednisolone at the beginning of treatment. The two groups were compared with regard to clinical improvement, presence of neurological sequelae and mortality. No difference in recovery rate between the groups was observed. 6 patients (21%) died (5 in group I and 1 in group II). Residual sequelae developed in 9 cases (5 in group I and 4 in group II; 31%). The difference between the groups was not significant. The regimen including rifampicin for tuberculous meningitis did not result in any superiority compared to standard therapy.