The optimal cycle threshold (Ct) of real-time PCR was determined by comparing different gene targets of tubercle bacilli (IS6110, 16SrRNA, HSP65, and Ag85B) and reported sensitivities of 36.7%, 21.1%, 16.7%, and 6.7%, respectively, and specificities of 97.6%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for the IS6110RT‒PCR, MPCR, Xpert, and MGIT detection methods against the composite reference standards of definite, probable, and possible tuberculous meningitis; the sensitivity of the IS6110RT‒PCR method was greater than those of the 16SrRNA, HSP65, and Ag85B methods (63). Here, HSPD1 is linked to meningeal tuberculosis.