AUTHOR=Kechker Peter , Senderovich Yigal , Ken-Dror Shifra , Laviad-Shitrit Sivan , Arakawa Eiji , Halpern Malka 

TITLE=Otitis Media Caused by V. cholerae O100: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01619

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2017.01619

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Infections due to <italic>Vibrio cholerae</italic> are rarely documented in Israel. Here we report a case of recurrent otitis media in a young male, caused by <italic>V. cholerae</italic> non-O1/O139. This extra-intestinal infection was caused by <italic>V. cholerae</italic> O100 and has been associated with freshwater exposure and travel. Symptoms of chronic periodic earaches along with purulent exudate began about one week after the patient suffered a water skiing accident on a river in Australia. The condition lasted for three years, until his ear exudate was examined in a clinical laboratory, diagnosed and treated. Five bacterial isolates were identified as <italic>V. cholerae</italic> O100. The isolates were screened for genetic characteristics and were found positive for the presence of <italic>hapA</italic>, <italic>hlyA</italic>, and <italic>ompU</italic> virulence genes. All isolates were negative for the presence of <italic>ctxA</italic>. Based on antibiogram susceptibility testing, ciprofloxacin ear drops were used until the patient’s symptoms disappeared. This case demonstrates that exposure to freshwater can cause otitis media by <italic>V. cholerae</italic> non-O1/O139 in young and otherwise healthy humans.</p>