Safety and efficacy of high-dose rifampicin in the management of tuberculosis meningitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) practically affects any part of the body, but when the brain is involved, the consequences are devastating. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of drug-susceptible TB, with an estimation of more than 100,000 new cases occurring every year and a high mortality rate globally. The treatment strategy is based on pulmonary TB (PTB) management regimens which consider rifampicin as the backbone.