Black hairy tongue treated with traditional Chinese medicine: A case report.

RATIONALE: Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a rare condition that is conventionally managed by discontinuing associated medications or habits and practicing good oral hygiene, including tongue brushing. Previous studies have indicated that black tongue coating is often associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could be a potentially effective option for treating this condition with minimal side effects. We present a case of BHT diagnosed and treated within 2 weeks by using TCM methods. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old woman presented with a chief concern of a black tongue that had persisted for 2 weeks and was accompanied by thirst and diarrhea. These symptoms were initially observed during her hospitalization for the treatment of staghorn calculi, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, and urosepsis. Using the "four diagnostic methods" of TCM, we observed that her tongue had a thick black coating surrounded by a thick white coating; her tongue was of medium size with tooth marks, and its body color was light red. DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES: On the basis of TCM theory, we made a clinical diagnosis of BHT and "spleen Qi deficiency with turbid dampness," which may have been caused by the antibiotic treatment during hospitalization. Subsequently, we administered a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formula comprising a combination of Wu-Ling-San () and a modification of Da-Yuan-Yin (). After 2 weeks of CHM treatment, the patient's BHT was nearly eliminated, and the thick white coating and the corresponding symptoms were ameliorated. After 4 weeks of CHM treatment, the BHT was completely resolved. LESSON AND CONCLUSION: We present a case of BHT, a benign condition that may be caused by antibiotics. The literature does not contain reports on TCM-based diagnosis and treatment strategies for BHT. Using the 4 diagnostic methods of TCM, we observed that BHT was associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, which is consistent with the TCM theory. Moreover, CHM treatment rapidly relieved BHT and related symptoms without adverse events.

Case of Moxifloxacin-Induced Black Hairy Tongue.

BACKGROUND Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a relatively uncommon acquired benign condition, with a prevalence ranging from 0.6% to 11.3%. It presents as a superficial black hairy carpet-like lingual growth. The exact etiology of BHT remains unclear, and both extrinsic and intrinsic factors are potentially contributive. Several types of antibiotics are also associated with BHT, but no English reports of moxifloxacin-induced BHT exist. Here, we report the first case of moxifloxacin-induced BHT. CASE REPORT A 69-year-old woman presented with a brown and hairy tongue. She was taking prednisolone for mixed connective tissue disease and developed right finger flexor tenosynovitis, which was complicated by osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium chelonae. Based on the susceptibility results, she was treated with tobramycin, imipenem, and clarithromycin for 6 weeks, and then switched to moxifloxacin and clarithromycin. Within 10 days, she developed brown discoloration on the dorsum of the tongue, with carpet-like elongated filiform lingual papillae. The diagnosis of BHT was made. After stopping moxifloxacin, improvement was seen within 2 days, and her right finger has shown no signs of recurrence for 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should be vigilant against agents and lifestyles that can precipitate BHT, especially moxifloxacin. It is essential to counsel patients before such treatments to avoid patient anxiety or treatment changes.

Linezolid-induced black hairy tongue in a patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: A case report.

The revised World Health Organization guidelines on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis include linezolid in the core drugs group. Consequently, the use of linezolid for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is increasing. Common adverse events of long-term linezolid use include bone marrow suppression and neuropathies. However, there is limited information on a rare adverse event, black hairy tongue. Here, we report a case of linezolid-induced black hairy tongue in a patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of black hairy tongue are also discussed.

Reversible black tongue: A little known side effect of imipenem/cilastatin and evidence for novel mode of action.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Black tongue syndrome (BT) is a rare and self-limiting disorder which can result from physiological and metabolic condition and ingestion of toxic substances. Medications are the most common cause of BT. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old male patient presented with BT after the initiation of imipenem/cilastatin. Within one week of cessation of these drugs, the patient's tongue returned to a normal colour. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This is the first case of BT induced by imipenem/cilastatin. Withdrawal of the combination is likely to reverse the condition.

Linezolid-induced black hairy tongue.

Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a self-limiting disorder characterized by abnormal hypertrophy and elongation of filiform papillae on the surface of the tongue. The exact mechanism of drug-induced BHT is unknown. Several factors have been implicated and included smoking or chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol, poor oral hygiene and antibiotics such as tetracyclines and penicillins. We report a quite uncommon case of Linezolid-induced BHT in a patient with a long-lasting history of chest wall infection.

Ranitidine-induced black tongue: A case report.

Black tongue is a rare, benign, self-limiting disorder caused by certain conditions and some medications. We report the first case of a child diagnosed with black tongue associated with ranitidine use. We report our case to emphasize the rare side effect of this frequently used drug. Health care professionals should be aware of the likelihood of ranitidine-induced black tongue in clinical practice.

Black brown discoloration and hairy tongue - A rare linezolid side effect.

INTRODUCTION: Linezolid was approved for clinical use for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. Additionally it is used in the management of drug resistant tuberculosis. It is well-tolerated however bone marrow suppression and neuropathies may occur in patients taking this antibiotic for more than 2 weeks. Black discoloration and black hairy tongue (BHT) due to linezolid is rarely reported. We report two cases of BHT. CASE REPORTS: Two patients of drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis developed benign hairy tongue with linezolid 600mg per day. In both the cases black colored/hairy tongue was reported within 2-3 weeks of linezolid treatment. Both patients improved after withdrawal of linezolid. Subsequent reintroduction of linezolid with good oral hygiene was well tolerated and both patients completed the treatment of 2 years duration without any recurrence. CONCLUSION: Black discoloration and BHT is a rare but transient adverse reaction with linezolid. Reintroduction of linezolid with good oral hygiene is well tolerated.