Changes in glucose levels - a predictive marker for an adequate environment aimed at mycobacterium tuberculosis growth

Abstract

In the context of large interest of World Health Organization to progress in prevention of tuberculosis (TB) by avoidance of transferring pathogens from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex, and ensuring diagnosis and treatment of this disease at global, regional and country levels, it was found that most people who develop TB disease can be cured if well-timed diagnosis and correct treatment are performed. This paper presents and discusses a case study, when a patient was rapidly diagnosed with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection based on biochemical analysis of the cerebral-spinal fluid, especially high protein rhinorrhasia and low glycogenic glucose, in the absence of other pathological conditions. In these condition the therapy was immediately started. At discharge of the patient, lumbar puncture showed normal cellularity, with glucose levels below the normal range, but increasing relative to previous values, MRI examination was within normal limits, and motor deficit was minimal.