Dexamethasone, Cerebrospinal Fluid Matrix Metalloproteinase Concentrations and Clinical Outcomes in Tuberculous Meningitis

Abstract

Dexamethasone decreased CSF MMP-9 concentrations early in treatment and this may represent one mechanism by which corticosteroids improve outcome in TBM. The strong correlation between CSF MMP-9 and neutrophil count suggests that polymorphonuclear leukocytes may play a central role in the early pathogenesis of TBM.