Turicella otitidis mastoiditis in a healthy child

Metabolism and gene sequence variation in Turicella otitidis implies its adaptability and pathogenicity in extra-otic infection: a systematic review

Turicella otitidis belongs to the Corynebacteriaceae family and is a normal inhabitant of the ear and exists in a commensal relationship with its host. In children, T. otitidis is frequently associated with otitis media. The emergence of Turicella otitidis as a pathogen is concerning, particularly due to the limited availability of data on its pathogenic properties. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of T. otitidis infections occurring in both the ear and other anatomical sites, and to summarize the differences in metabolism and genome sequences between isolates obtained from the ear and blood.

Reviewing the Pathogenic Potential of the Otitis-Associated Bacteria Alloiococcus otitidis and Turicella otitidis

Alloiococcus otitidis and Turicella otitidis are common bacteria of the human ear. They have frequently been isolated from the middle ear of children with otitis media (OM), though their potential role in this disease remains unclear and confounded due to their presence as commensal inhabitants of the external auditory canal. In this review, we summarize the current literature on these organisms with an emphasis on their role in OM. Much of the literature focuses on the presence and abundance of these organisms, and little work has been done to explore their activity in the middle ear. We find there is currently insufficient evidence available to determine whether these organisms are pathogens, commensals or contribute indirectly to the pathogenesis of OM. However, building on the knowledge currently available, we suggest future approaches aimed at providing stronger evidence to determine whether A. otitidis and T. otitidis are involved in the pathogenesis of OM. Such evidence will increase our understanding of the microbial risk factors contributing to OM and may lead to novel treatment approaches for severe and recurrent disease.

Draft Genome Sequence of Turicella otitidis TD1, Isolated from a Patient with Bacteremia

We report the draft genome sequence of Turicella otitidis strain TD1, isolated from a central line catheter sample from a patient with a history of bowel obstruction. It contained several genetic determinants of multidrug-resistant phenotypes such as a cfrA 50S methyltransferase, two major facilitator superfamily-type drug resistance transporters, and a putative beta-lactamase.

Turicella otitidis and Corynebacterium auris: 20 years on

Turicella otitidis and Corynebacterium auris, described as new species 20 years ago, have been isolated mainly from the external ear canal and middle ear fluid. While their taxonomic position has been clearly established, their diagnosis in the routine laboratory is difficult. The question of their pathogenic potential in otitis is still open but might be elucidated better if corynebacteria are speciated more often.

Draft genome sequence of Turicella otitidis ATCC 51513, isolated from middle ear fluid from a child with otitis media

Turicella otitidis is an unusual corynebacterium with a controversial role in otitis media in children. Metabolic capabilities deduced from the draft genome indicate its adaptation to habitats on the human skin and in the intestine. The lack of candidate virulence factors implies that T. otitidis has a low pathogenic potential.

[Turicella otitidis infection: otitis media complicated by mastoiditis]

Turicella otitidis is a nonfermentative, Gram-positive bacillus, which is almost exclusively isolated from the ear. Few cases of infection caused by T. otitidis have been reported in the literature, but the pathogenic potential of this little-known bacterium remains controversial, particularly in acute and chronic otitis media.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

A retrospective study of T. otitidis isolated in the University Hospital of Montpellier in 2004 found T. otitidis in 13 patients. Among them, a 3-year-old girl had presented with acute and perforated otitis media and mastoiditis caused by T. otitidis, thereby confirming the pathogenic effect of this bacterium.

CONCLUSION

T. otitidis is relatively frequently isolated from middle ear samples in healthy patients. However, T. otitidis has been implicated in serious cases of infection and should be considered an opportunistic pathogen. Its clinical significance can be difficult to establish and each case should be carefully interpreted. From a bacteriological point of view, T. otitidis should be precisely identified to obtain more information regarding its role in clinical pathology.

Characterization of a truncated lipoarabinomannan from the Actinomycete Turicella otitidis

Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) lipoglycans have been characterized from a range of mycolic acid-containing actinomycetes and from the amycolate actinomycete Amycolatopsis sulphurea. To further understand the structural diversity of this family, we have characterized the lipoglycan of the otic commensal Turicella otitidis. T. otitidis LAM (TotLAM) has been determined to consist of a mannosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor unit carrying an (alpha 1-->6)-linked mannan core and substituted with terminal-arabinosyl branches. Thus, TotLAM has a novel truncated LAM structure. Using the human monocytic THP-1 cell line, it was found that TotLAM exhibited only minimal ability to induce tumor necrosis factor alpha. These findings contribute further to our understanding of actinomycete LAM diversity and allow further speculation as to the correlation between LAM structure and the immunomodulatory activities of these lipoglycans.

Acute and chronic otitis media and Turicella otitidis: a controversial association

Turicella otitidis is a non-fermenting Gram-positive bacillus isolated almost exclusively from ear exudates. Its significance in acute or chronic otitis media is controversial. Over a 12-month period, T. otitidis was isolated from nine ear exudates from seven patients. Most of these were cases of spontaneous drainage following recurrence of otitis media after antimicrobial therapy that was ineffective against T. otitidis. The MICs of penicillin, levofloxacin, linezolid and vancomycin were very low for all the isolates studied, but most isolates displayed high resistance to macrolides and lincosamides.