Search

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a devastating infection of the central nervous system lacking an adequate point-of-care diagnostic test. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 550 Zambian adults with suspected TBM to determine the diagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Xpert MTB/RIF, CSF lipoarabinomannan (LAM), urine LAM, CSF total protein, and CSF glucose compared with the gold standard of CSF culture. We categorized patients with a positive CSF tuberculosis (TB) culture as definite TBM. We also assessed inpatient and 1-year mortality on definite TBM patients when CSF Xpert MTB/RIF results were available in real time to treating physicians relative to a historical comparison cohort in whom Xpert results were not available in real time. Of the 550 patients, 474 (86.2%) were HIV-infected and 105/550 (19.1%) had definite TBM based on a positive CSF culture. The sensitivity/specificity of the diagnostic tests were CSF Xpert MTB/RIF, 52.9%/94.2%; CSF LAM, 21.9%/94.2%; urine LAM, 24.1%/76.1%; and CSF glucose 100 mg/dl, 66.3%/90%. A model including CSF Xpert MTB/RIF, CSF LAM, CSF glucose, and CSF total protein demonstrated an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.90. The inpatient and 1-year mortality for definite TBM was 43% and 57%, respectively. There was low sensitivity for the diagnosis of TBM across all diagnostics tests. CSF Xpert MTB/RIF and CSF LAM are highly specific for the diagnosis of TBM. Despite the use of Xpert MTB/RIF for diagnostic purpose in real time, TBM was still associated with a high mortality in Zambian patients.

Background: Despite eradication efforts, ~135,000 African children sustained brain injuries as a result of central nervous system (CNS) malaria in 2021. Newer antimalarial medications rapidly clear peripheral parasitemia and improve survival, but mortality remains high with no associated decline in post-malaria neurologic injury. A randomized controlled trial of aggressive antipyretic therapy with acetaminophen and ibuprofen (Fever RCT) for malarial fevers being conducted in Malawi and Zambia began enrollment in 2019. We propose to use neuroimaging in the context of the RCT to further evaluate neuroprotective effects of aggressive antipyretic therapy. Methods: This observational magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ancillary study will obtain neuroimaging and neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes in children previously enrolled in the Fever RCT at 1- and 12-months post discharge. Analysis will compare the odds of any brain injury between the aggressive antipyretic therapy and usual care groups based upon MRI structural abnormalities. For children unable to undergo imaging without deep sedation, neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes will be used to identify brain injury. Discussion: Neuroimaging is a well-established, valid proxy for neurological outcomes after brain injury in pediatric CNS malaria. This MRI ancillary study will add value to the Fever RCT by determining if treatment with aggressive antipyretic therapy is neuroprotective in CNS malaria. It may also help elucidate the underlying mechanism(s) of neuroprotection and expand upon FEVER RCT safety assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the long‐term outcomes, including mortality and recurrent seizures, among children living with HIV (CLWH) who present with new onset seizure. Methods: Zambian CLWH and new onset seizure were enrolled prospectively to determine the risk of and risk factors for recurrent seizures. Demographic data, clinical profiles, index seizure etiology, and 30‐day mortality outcomes were previously reported. After discharge, children were followed quarterly to identify recurrent seizures and death. Given the high risk of early death, risk factors for recurrent seizure were evaluated using a model that adjusted for mortality. Results: Among 73 children enrolled, 28 died (38%), 22 within 30‐days of the index seizure. Median follow‐up was 533 days (IQR 18–957) with 5% (4/73) lost to follow‐up. Seizure recurrence was 19% among the entire cohort. Among children surviving at least 30‐days after the index seizure, 27% had a recurrent seizure. Median time from index seizure to recurrent seizure was 161 days (IQR 86–269). Central nervous system opportunistic infection (CNS OI), as the cause for the index seizure was protective against recurrent seizures and higher functional status was a risk factor for seizure recurrence. Significance: Among CLWH presenting with new onset seizure, mortality risks remain elevated beyond the acute illness period. Recurrent seizures are common and are more likely in children with higher level of functioning even after adjusting for the outcome of death. Newer antiseizure medications appropriate for co‐usage with antiretroviral therapies are needed for the care of these children. CNS OI may represent a potentially reversible provocation for the index seizure, while seizures in high functioning CLWH without a CNS OI may be the result of a prior brain injury or susceptibility to seizures unrelated to HIV and thus represent an ongoing predisposition to seizures. Plain Language Summary: This study followed CLWH who experienced a new onset seizure to find out how many go on to have more seizures and identify any patient characteristics associated with having more seizures. The study found that mortality rates continue to be high beyond the acute clinical presentation with new onset seizure. Children with a CNS OI causing the new onset seizure had a lower risk of later seizures, possibly because the trigger for the seizure can be treated. In contrast, high functioning children without a CNS OI were at higher risk of future seizures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly accelerating translation of biomedical advances is leading to revolutionary therapies that are often inaccessible to historically marginalized populations. We identified and synthesized recent guidelines and statements to propose 7 strategies to integrate equity within translational research in neurology: (1) learn history; (2) learn about upstream forces; (3) diversify and liberate; (4) change narratives and adopt best communication practices; (5) study social drivers of health and lived experiences; (6) leverage health technologies; and (7) build, sustain, and lead culturally humble teams. We propose that equity should be a major goal of translational research, equally important as safety and efficacy. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:432–441 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]