Corticosteroids and tuberculosis: risks and use as adjunct therapy

Adjunct therapy with corticosteroids, in conjunction with antituberculous drugs, may be appropriate in particular forms of tuberculosis. Prospective controlled trials have shown a benefit in tuberculous meningitis, pericardial and pleural disease. Although benefit has been shown in pleural disease, adjunct therapy is not routinely required unless there are significant systemic symptoms of fever or a particularly large effusion. It has been...