GeneXpert MTB/RIF in diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in paediatric patients at a tertiary care children's hospital in Pakistan over a period of 4 years

The current study was planned to report the frequency of tuberculosis meningitis in the paediatric population of Pakistan using the GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampicin (MTB/RIF) assay. Data of 569 cerebrospinal fluid samples collected between October 2019 and October 2023 at a tertiary care children's hospital was retrospectively analysed. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in 101(17.7%) samples, with 57(56%) of them being from male patients. The highest tuberculous meningitis incidence 55(54.5%) was found in children aged 0-4 years, while those aged 10-14 years showed the lowest incidence 13(12.9%). Rifampicin resistance was present in 3(2.9%) cases. The findings highlighted the importance of incorporating GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing in clinical evaluation for suspected tuberculous meningitis cases in paediatric patients.