Rare TB-related infection detected in Bhandup woman

Atypical mycobacteria infections, although rare, can spread through food, water, broken skin

- Somita Pal

In a rare case, a 34-year-old woman from Bhandup sought medical help for persistent pain and swelling in her left ear. Initially, she consulted an ENT specialist and was given oral antibiotics, but as her condition worsened, she was referred to infectious disease expert Dr Hardik Thakker at Apex Hospital, Mulund, who identified a rare bacterial infection from the TB family, known as nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).