Bilateral mastoiditis from red tide exposure has been reported. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Bilateral Mastoiditis from Red Tide Exposure.
J Emerg Med. 2010 Aug 26. Epub 2010 Aug 26. PMID: 20800412
Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, California.
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.