Central nervous system tuberculosis in Western Sydney: a 10-year retrospective cohort study

Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is a rare complication of tuberculosis. There is a lack of data surrounding investigation and management of this in Australia.

To review CNS-TB cases in Western Sydney, Australia, and understand the epidemiology, investigation, diagnosis, management and outcomes in a low-prevalence setting.

Retrospective cohort study of all CNS-TB patients managed in Western Sydney from 2013 to 2022. Demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, investigations and management were reviewed. Clinical outcomes like hospital length-of-stay, adverse drug reactions, paradoxical reactions, functional disability and treatment outcomes, including cure, treatment failure, loss to follow-up and death, were also measured.

Thirty-nine CNS-TB cases were identified, with 16 (41%) confirmed by nucleic acid amplification test or culture of CNS specimens and 23 (59%) diagnosed presumptively without CNS microbiological confirmation. The median age was 32 years. Thirty-seven (95%) were overseas-born; 27 (69%) had no comorbidities. Presenting symptoms included fever (82%), headache (64%) and weight loss (51%). Twenty-five (64%) used fluoroquinolones and nine (23%) used high-dose rifampicin. Steroids were used in all patients. Six (15%) were prescribed aspirin for primary stroke prevention. Twenty-eight (73%) completed treatment, with one requiring re-treatment for presumed treatment failure. Six (15%) were lost to follow-up, and five (13%) died during their treatment course. Twenty-one (54%) experienced an adverse drug reaction.

Tuberculosis is an ongoing public health issue in Australia, with CNS-TB being its most devastating form, and all clinicians to be aware of this rare complication. The efficacy of newer treatment options requires further study.