We retrospectively studied the clinical and laboratory findings of 23 culture positive TBM pts by comparing their clinical characteristics with their isolate's IS6110-based DNA fingerprints (van Embden, 1993) and drug susceptibility.

The mean age of the pts was 16 (70% < 20 years old). The mean duration of illness prior to admission was 26 days. At presentation, the majority of pts had stage 3 disease (70%), while the remainder had stage 2 disease(30%).1 Thirteen pts (57%) were treated for TBM (the remainder died within the first 48 hours). The following data apply to the treated group: 77% survived. Stage 2 pts were more likely to die than stage 3 pts (43% vs. 0%). Pts sick for greater than two weeks preceding admission were more likely to have stage 3 disease (64%) than stage 2 disease and were also more likely to die (27% vs. 0%). Many patients had ocular palsies (69%, most commonly 6th nerve). Seizures were associated with a long duration of illness and poor outcome (33% mortality vs. 14% mortality without seizures).

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