Abstract
An unusual case ofMycobacterium marinum cutaneous infection is described. As a result of marked delay in the diagnosis, extensive local inflammation and destructive osteomyelitis occurred together with cutaneous dissemination in an immunocompetent host. Pathologic fractures in the infected bone necessitated amputation of the involved digit. The most striking feature of this case was the development of multiple widespread cutaneous lesions for several months following amputation of the infected digit and initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. These new cutaneous lesions may reflect local immune and inflammatory reactions to previously disseminated microorganisms.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Collins H Mycobacterium marinum infections in men. Journal of Hygiene 1985, 94: 135–149.
Huminer D, Pitlick S, Block C Aquarium borneMycobacterium marinum skin infection. Archives of Dermatology 1986, 122: 698–703.
Kaplan D Mycobacterium marinum cutaneous infections. Infections in Medicine 1988, 5: 257–264.
Hurst L, Amadio P, Badalamente M, Ellstein J Mycobacterium marinum infections of the hand. Journal of Hand Surgery 1987, 12: 428–436.
Chow SP Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand and wrist. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 1987, 69: 1161–1168.
Fisher A Swimming pool granuloma due toMycobacterium marinum: an occupational hazard of lifeguards. Cutis 1988, 41: 397–398.
Bruckner-Tuderman L, Blank A Unusual cutaneous dissemination of a tropical fish tank granuloma. Cutis 1985, 35: 405–408.
King A, Fairley J, Rasmussen J Disseminated cutaneousMycobacterium marinum infection. Archives of Dermatology 1983, 119: 268–270.
Gumbert M, Goldstein E DisseminatedMycobacterium marinum infections after renal transplantation. Annals of Internal Medicine 1981, 94: 486–487.
Asfari M Mycobacterium-induced infectious granuloma inXenopus: histopathology and transmissibility. Cancer Research 1988, 48: 955–963.
Travis W, Travis L, Roberts G, Su D, Weiland L The histopathologic spectrum inMycobacterium marinum infections. Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 1985, 109: 1109–1113.
Darta S, Smith P, Levitz R, Quintiliani R Therapy ofMycobacterium marinum infections. Use of tetracyclines vs. rifampin. Archives of Internal Medicine 1986, 146: 902–904.
Grange JM Therapy of infections caused by atypical mycobacterium. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 1984, 13: 308–310.
Clark R, Spector H, Friedman D, Oldrati K, Young C, Nelson S Osteomyelitis and synovitis produced byMycobacterium marinum in a fisherman. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1990, 28: 2570–2572.
Aronson JD Spontaneous tuberculosis in salt water fish. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1926, 39: 315–320.
Linell F, Norden A Mycobacterium balnei: a new acid fast bacillus occurring in swimming pools and capable of producing skin lesions in humans. Acta Tuberculosa Scandinavica 1954, 33: 1–84.
Gamamoto S, Fujiwara Y, Saito H, Tasaka H, Oda S A case of multiple skin disease caused byMycobacterium marinum. Japanese Journal of Dermatology 1970, 80: 142–149.
Gould W, McMeekin D, Bright R Mycobacterium marinum (balnei) infection. Report of a case with cutaneous and laryngeal lesions. Archives of Dermatology 1968, 97: 159–162.
Jones MW, Wabid A, Matthews JP Septic arthritis of the hand due toMycobacterium marinum. Journal of Hand Surgery 1988, 13: 333–334.
Wendt R, Lamm R, Altman D, Cruz H, Achaver B An unusually aggressiveMycobacterium marinum hand infection. Journal of Hand Surgery 1986, 11: 753–755.
Jolly HW, Seaberg JH Infections withMycobacterium marinum. Archives of Dermatology 1972, 106: 32–36.
Prevost E, Walker E, Krevtner A, Manos J Mycobacterium marinum infections: diagnosis and treatment. Southern Medical Journal 1982, 75: 1349–1352.
Brown J, Sanders C Mycobacterium marinum infections: a problem of recognition, not therapy? Archives of Internal Medicine 1987, 147: 817–818.
Jungberg B, Christensson B, Grubb R Failure of doxycycline treatment in aquarium-associatedMycobacterium marinum infections. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases 1987, 19: 539–543.
Wolinsky E NontuberculousMycobacterium and associated diseases. American Review of Respiratory Diseases 1979, 110: 107–159.
Dattwyler R, Thomas J, Hurst L Antigen-specific T-cell anergy in progressiveMycobacterium marinum infections in humans. Annals of Internal Medicine 1987, 107: 675–677.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vazquez, J.A., Sobel, J.D. A case of disseminatedMycobacterium marinum infection in an immunocompetent patient. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 11, 908–911 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01962371
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01962371