Characteristics of the study subjects
| Variables | TBM (n=85) | Non-TBM (n=82) |
| Age, n (%) | ||
| <5 years | 54 (63.5) | 55 (67.1) |
| 5–12 years | 16 (18.9) | 16 (19.5) |
| 12–18 years | 15 (17.6) | 11 (13.4) |
| Gender n (%) | ||
| Male | 44 (51.7) | 52 (63.4) |
| Female | 41 (48.3) | 30 (36.6) |
| Complete blood count | ||
| Haemoglobin, mean±SD | 10.9 ± 1.9 | 11 ± 2.3 |
| Leucocytes, median (range) | 13 100 (1730–32 990) | 14 575 (1700–47290) |
| Neutrophils, mean±SD | 67.2 ± 17.3 | 64.2 ± 17.2 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, n (%) | 11 (12.9) | 10 (12.2) |
| Electrolyte levels | ||
| Sodium, median (range) | 131.5 (117–146) | 135 (106–152) |
| Potassium, median (range) | 4.2 (2.3–6.6) | 4.1 (1.7–7.6) |
| Chloride, median (range) | 98.1 (81.1–116) | 102 (7.9–129) |
| CSF analysis | ||
| Clear CSF fluid, n (%) | 52 (68.4) | 40 (65.6) |
| CSF cells count, median (range) | 101.5 (1–1800) | 39 (1–7772) |
| CSF PMN cells, median (range) | 28.5 (0–1209) | 10 (0–5209) |
| CSF MN cells, median (range) | 57 (0–1620) | 22 (0–4537) |
| CSF protein, median (range) | 117 (5–3190) | 52.5 (2–2340) |
| CSF glucose, median (range) | 43 (6–124) | 68 (2–377) |
| Head imaging, n (%) | ||
| Brain infarct | 16 (20.3) | 2 (8.6) |
| Hydrocephalus | 52 (65.0) | 5 (14.3) |
| Enhancement of basal cistern | 53 (66.3) | 9 (25.7) |
| Tuberculoma | 8 (10.1) | 0 (0) |
| Outcome, n (%) | ||
| Alive | 62 (72.9) | 69 (84.1) |
| Dead | 23 (27.1) | 13 (15.9) |
CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; MN, mononuclear; PMN, polymorphonuclear; TBM, tuberculous meningitis.