Information on Infection With Mycobacterium Marinum

Infection with Mycobacterium marinum can arise worldwide, most commonly in individuals with occupational and recreational exposure to fresh or saltwater. The cause is infection with M marinum include exposure of traumatized skin to affected aqueous environments (fish tanks) is the leading predisposing factor. Individuals who are consistently exposed to the organism are more likely to develop the infection.

M marinum infection has been reported in persons of every age group; however, it appears to be rare in the pediatric population. In the United States, infections caused by M. marinum are rare, with a yearly likely annual incidence of 0.27 cases per 100,000 adults. The symptoms of Mycobacterium marinum infection a small red bump or non-healing red sore on their skin a few weeks after a history of exposure to non-chlorinated water. Ninety percent of the cases involve the arms (upper extremities). They may remember getting a scratch, scrape, or puncture wound several weeks before while in the water.

Many people may simply overlook the early signs and seek over-the-counter antibiotic creams and disinfectants on their own in an attempt to make the bump or sore go away. Some patients may feel no pain or itch while others commonly have various localized pain and firmness at the site of the infection. Most otherwise healthy people overall feel well during the infection and do not have fever or chills. People at highest risk include home-aquarium hobbyists, swimmers, aquarium workers, marine-life handlers, anglers, and oyster workers. Most infections are treated medically with a fairly long course of oral antibiotics.

Medication choices comprise rifampin plus ethambutol, tetracyclines, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, clarithromycin, and fluoroquinolones. Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be completely and should cover all likely pathogens in the circumstance of the clinical setting. Therapy must be taken often and continued for a sufficient period. Some milder infections (mainly in healthy people) have cleared on their own without any treatment. Rarely, surgical treatment and drainage of deeper tissue or skin infections may become essential in more complex cases. However, medical treatment remains the first and preferred treatment for nearly all cases.