A Case of MELAS Syndrome with Tuberculous Meningitis

Abstract

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with hyperlactatemia and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a multisystem metabolic disorder caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most common severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in children, presents with nonspecific clinical symptoms, poses challenges for early diagnosis, and has a high mortality rate. Neurologic sequelae are also common among surviving children. This article presents a case study of a patient with MELAS (caused by the mtDNA13513G > A mutation) combined with tuberculous meningitis. Our findings suggest that MELAS may be a risk factor for the development of TBM and provide valuable insights into the successful diagnosis and treatment of this combination.