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Central nervous system tuberculosis: A disease from P apua N ew G uinea in N orth Q ueensland
Author(s) -
Ting Pascallina LC,
Norton Robert
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.12107
Subject(s) - medicine , tuberculosis , central nervous system , disease , referral , multiple drug resistance , immunology , pediatrics , pathology , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , family medicine , biology
Aim To describe cases of confirmed central nervous system ( CNS ) tuberculosis seen at the major tertiary referral centre of N orth Q ueensland over a 10‐year period. Methods This is a retrospective case series‐based study of all cases of proven M ycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the CNS presenting to a major tertiary referral centre of N orth Q ueensland between 2000 and 2010. Results Five cases of confirmed CNS tuberculosis were identified over the 10‐year period with two deaths. All were from P apua N ew G uinea with a mean age of 7 years. Imaging and early microbiological diagnosis was critical in making the diagnosis. HIV infection was not a contributing factor. Multidrug resistance was inferred or confirmed in two cases. Conclusions CNS tuberculosis is a disease being increasingly seen in N orth Q ueensland among children from P apua N ew G uinea. Anticipation of multidrug resistance is important in the immediate management of suspected cases.