Tuberculous ventriculitis as a devastating neurological manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: A case report in immunocompetent patient.

Introduction and importance: Tubercular Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is defined as the worsening of existing disease or new tuberculosis lesions during anti-tuberculosis therapy after excluding drug resistance, adherence issues, secondary infection, and malignancy. Ventriculitis is a rare and detrimental complication of cerebral tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of ventriculitis as a manifestation of TB-IRIS.

Case presentation: A 46-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a decline in consciousness for four days prior to admission. He experienced a progressive headache accompanied by intermittent high-grade fever over the past week. He was diagnosed with rifampicin-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis three months prior and was treated with a fixed-dose combination of anti-tuberculosis (ATT) regimen. His HIV test result was negative. A non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan revealed ventriculitis and hydrocephalus. The patient subsequently received ATT and corticosteroids, along with external ventricular drainage (EVD) to alleviate intracranial pressure and address the intraventricular infection. Regrettably, the patient's condition progressively declined, resulting in his demise on the seventh day post-admission.

Clinical discussion: TB-IRIS is primarily characterized in individuals with HIV/tuberculosis coinfection; however, it does not exclude that TB-IRIS may occur in immunocompetent conditions. Tuberculous ventriculitis is a manifestation of CNS TB-IRIS, characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. The fundamental principle in managing ventriculitis is to control both the inflammation and the infection and reducing intracranial pressure.

Conclusion: This particular case does not significantly enhance the management of CNS-TB-IRIS; however, it does bring attention to the potential occurrence of this condition in immunocompetent patients.