TB Research

Tuberculous Otitis Media in a Patient with Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Pedro Stringelli-Brandão, Marília Prior Fuga, Márcio Ketner Sguassábia, Laura Menezes, Luana Castro, Ivonete Helena Rocha, Mario León Silva-Vergara

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2026-01

Abstract

The present report describes a case of tuberculous otitis media in a young Brazilian male recently diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis who presented with painless unilateral purulent otorrhea and hearing loss for several months. He had received several antibiotic regimens without a clinical response. An acid-fast bacilli test and polymerase chain reaction test from an ear secretion confirmed the diagnosis. Despite its rare occurrence, this case is very similar to others reported elsewhere and reinforces the relevance of investigating this infection in patients with chronic otitis media refractory to conventional therapy regardless of whether another anatomical site is involved or not.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Otitis Media
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Adult