A Case of Mycobacterium Marinum Infection at an Aquarium

Abstract

The patient was a 26-year-old man who worked at an aquarium. He developed a solitary, domeshaped, pale red mass (16×14mm) on the dorsum of the base of the right fifth finger. Granulomatous cell infiltration into the dermis was histopathologically observed, and Mycobacterium marinum was isolated by culture. The lesion was healed by oral ofloxacin combined with hyperthermia. No recurrence has occurred in the 18 months since treatment was discontinued. The aquarium was examined to determine the source of infection, and the organism was mainly isolated from the water filters. Wearing cotton gloves and placing the hands and forearms in a water bath (42°C~45°C) for 5 minutes after work were effective in preventing this infection. © 1998, Meeting of Osaka Dermatological Association. All rights reserved.