Hristea et al reported a clinical prediction rule for differentiating tuberculous from viral meningitis. The authors are from National Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Colentina Hospital in Bucharest.
Patient selection: meningitis, either tuberculous or viral
Parameters:
(1) duration of symptoms before admission i days
(2) British Medical Research Council (BMRC) clinical stages for tuberculous meningitis
(3) ratio of CSF to serum glucose
(4) CSF protein in mg/dL
Parameter
Finding
Points
duration of symptoms
< 5 days
0
>= 5 days
3.615
neurologic stage
I
0
II
2.68
III
2.68
ratio of CSF to serum glucose
< 0.5
3.414
>= 0.5
0
CSF protein
<= 100 mg/dL
0
> 100 mg/dL
1.669
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters) - 7.612
probability of tuberculous meningitis =
= 1 / (1 + EXP((-1) * X))
Performance:
• The area under the ROC is reported as 0.98.
• The sensitivity is 92% and specificity 94%.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
