Tuberculous meningoencephalitis in a patient with hairy cell leukemia in complete remission.
Tuberculous meningoencephalitis is a rare disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. We report a patient with hairy cell leukemia in complete remission who, after a single cycle of chemotherapy with cladribine, presented fever and neurological deficits. Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculous meningoencephalitis was made by polymerase chain reaction testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cerebrospinal fluid. Despite the prompt institution of antitubercular-therapy, patient's general condition did not improve and he died. Mycobacterial infection should be considered in patients with intra-cranial lesions, affected by hematological malignancies and persistent immunosuppression.
Department of Hematology, Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy, University Campus Biomedico, Rome, Italy. k.girardi@unicampus.it
K
K
Girardi
A
A
Paviglianiti
M
M
Cirillo
A
A
Bianchi
G
G
Gherardi
O
O
Annibali
E
E
Cerchiara
F
F
Marchesi
V
V
Tomarchio
C
C
Miglio
Mc
M
Tirindelli
A
A
Onetti Muda
G
G
Avvisati
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017338:Cladribine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017338:Cladribine