Acute otitis media by Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum – Rare clinical case

Authors

  • Joana Marques Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, EPE, Porto, Portugal; Unidade de Otorrinolaringologia, Departamento de Cirurgia e Fisiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Raquel Portugal Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, EPE, Porto; Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Margarida Santos Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, EPE, Porto, Portugal
  • Jorge Spratley Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, EPE, Porto, Portugal; Unidade de Otorrinolaringologia, Departamento de Cirurgia e Fisiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Center for Research in Technologies and Health Services (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.933

Keywords:

otitis media, otorrhea, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, child

Abstract

We report the rare case of an infection of the middle ear due to Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum. A two-year-old immunocompetent child presented with otorrhea refractory to topical and oral antibiotics. After performing imaging study that revealed middle ear and mastoid opacification, she underwent cortical mastoidectomy and middle ear assessment with biopsy of mastoid mucosa. Microbiological analysis isolated Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum. The infection was effectively treated with an intravenous association of cefuroxime and gentamicin. This case emphasizes the importance of microbiology in the correct identification of unusual bacterial agents, in order to allow selection of the most effective treatment.

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Published

2021-12-17

How to Cite

Marques, J., Portugal, R., Santos, M., & Spratley, J. (2021). Acute otitis media by Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum – Rare clinical case. Portuguese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 59(4), 379–381. https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.933

Issue

Section

Case Report