Mycobacterium abscessus-mediated otitis media: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) or mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis are widely distributed in the environment, such as soil and water. Mycobacterium abscessus is an extensively drug-resistant opportunistic NTM that can cause chronic otitis media. We present the case of a 25-year-old woman with M. abscessus-mediated chronic suppurative otitis media. Following treatment with systemic antibiotic therapy, including clarithromycin for 6 months, she underwent tympano-mastoidectomy to improve her hearing and confirm the elimination of the pathogen. Further, we identified 119 similar cases reported in the literature and collected detailed information from 34 articles in the PubMed database. The infection route of M. abscessus, necessity of surgical debridement, selection of antimicrobial agents, duration of antibiotic therapy, and hearing prognosis were reviewed.