Mycobacterium abscessus, an uncommon cause of chronic otitis media

J. Linmans, R. Stokroos*, C.F.M. Linssen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Otitis media with otorrhea is common in children. Worldwide, 4% of all otitis media in children is caused by tuberculous otitis media.(1) Otitis media due to a nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) is uncommon. Since the description of the first case in 1976, only 31 well- documented cases of middle ear infections caused by NTM have been reported.(1-3) Originally, NTM were divided into 4 groups using the Runyon classification, based on growth rate and pigment production.(4) However, in recent years more accurate species-specific identification by means of molecular techniques are available.(5) Due to the increase of immunosuppressive conditions, the incidence of NTM infections has also increased.(2) A relatively common NTM infection is cervical lymphadenitis.(1,2,6,7)
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1004-1006
JournalArchives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Volume134
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2008

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