The diagnostic utility of the “Thwaites’ system” and “lancet consensus scoring system” in tuberculous vs. non-tuberculous subacute and chronic meningitis: multicenter analysis of 395 adult patients
Authors: Sulaiman Tarek , Medi Sai , Erdem Hakan , Senbayrak Seniha , Ozturk-Engin Derya , Inan Asuman , Civljak Rok , Nechifor Mihai , Akbulut Ayhan , Crisan Alexandru , Ozguler Muge , Namiduru Mustafa , Savic Branislava , Dulovic Olga , Pehlivanoglu Filiz , Sengoz Gonul , Yasar Kadriye , Inal Ayse Seza , Parlak Emine , Johansen Isik Somuncu , Kursun Ebru , Parlak Mehmet , Yilmaz Emel , Yilmaz Gulden , Gul Hanefi Cem , Oncul Oral , Siméon Soline , Tattevin Pierre , Ulu-Kilic Aysegul , Alabay Selma , Beovic Bojana , Catroux Melanie , Hansmann Yves , Harxhi Arjan , Sener Alper , Ozkaya Hacer Deniz , Cağ Yasemin , Agalar Canan , Vahaboglu Haluk , Ugur Berna Kaya , Hasbun Rodrigo 
Published: October 2020

Background

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) represents a diagnostic and management challenge to clinicians. The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” are utilized to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis but their utility in subacute and chronic meningitis where TBM is an important consideration is unknown.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study of adults with subacute and chronic meningitis, defined by symptoms greater than 5 days and less than 30 days for subacute meningitis (SAM) and greater than 30 days for chronic meningitis (CM). The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” scores and the diagnostic accuracy by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of receiver operating curve (AUC-ROC) were calculated. The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” suggest a high probability of TBM with scores ≤4, and with scores of ≥12, respectively.

Results

A total of 395 patients were identified; 313 (79.2%) had subacute and 82 (20.8%) with chronic meningitis. Patients with chronic meningitis were more likely caused by tuberculosis and had higher rates of HIV infection (P < 0.001). A total of 162 patients with TBM and 233 patients with non-TBM had unknown (140, 60.1%), fungal (41, 17.6%), viral (29, 12.4%), miscellaneous (16, 6.7%), and bacterial (7, 3.0%) etiologies. TMB patients were older and presented with lower Glasgow coma scores, lower CSF glucose and higher CSF protein (P < 0.001). Both criteria were able to distinguish TBM from bacterial meningitis; only the Lancet score was able to differentiate TBM from fungal, viral, and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurred between the etiologies (P < .001). Both criteria showed poor diagnostic accuracy to distinguish TBM from non-TBM etiologies (AUC-ROC was <. 5), but Lancet consensus scoring system was fair in diagnosing TBM (AUC-ROC was .738), sensitivity of 50%, and specificity of 89.3%.

Conclusion

Both criteria can be helpful in distinguishing TBM from bacterial meningitis, but only the Lancet consensus scoring system can help differentiate TBM from meningitis caused by fungal, viral and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurs and the overall diagnostic accuracy of both criteria were either poor or fair.