Tuberculous meningitis is an infection of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
CAUSES Tuberculous meningitis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This is the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). The bacteria spread to the brain and spine from another place in the body, usually the lung. Tuberculous meningitis is very rare in the United States. Most cases are people who traveled to the United States from other countries where TB is common.