Bilateral mastoiditis from red tide exposure

J Emerg Med. 2012 Oct;43(4):663-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.06.007. Epub 2010 Aug 30.

Abstract

Background: Bilateral mastoiditis in adults has previously been reported only in association with diabetes mellitus or immunocompromised patients.

Objectives: To describe a case of bilateral mastoiditis in a healthy adult and to investigate the etiology.

Case report: A 53-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with bilateral otitis externa and mastoiditis after scuba diving during a harmful algal bloom, commonly known as a "red tide." The levels of coliform bacteria recorded at the time and location of her dive exceeded health regulatory limits and correlate with her atypical culture results.

Conclusion: Elevated bacterial counts that result from harmful algal blooms may account for this rare infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diving / adverse effects*
  • Earache / drug therapy
  • Earache / microbiology
  • Enterococcus
  • Female
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / complications*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Harmful Algal Bloom
  • Humans
  • Mastoiditis / etiology
  • Mastoiditis / microbiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Otitis Externa / etiology
  • Otitis Externa / microbiology*
  • Pseudomonas Infections / complications*
  • Pseudomonas Infections / drug therapy
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents