Tuberculous meningitis with acellular cerebrospinal fluid in AIDS patients.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical manifestations of tuberculous meningitis in HIV-positive patients with acellular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of case reports.

METHODS

Four HIV-positive patients with acellular CSF and tuberculous meningitis are reported.

RESULTS

Clinical presentation did not indicate meningeal infection in three of the four cases, and CSF tests were unusual in all cases. Two patients were diagnosed only after death.

CONCLUSIONS

Acellular CSF may obstruct the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in AIDS patients.