Mycobacterium marinum infections of the hand

Fifteen patients had culture proven Mycobacterium marinum infections of the hand; 11 had injured their hands while fishing in water around Long Island. No patient had type I lesions (verrucal), six patients had type II lesions (subcutaneous granulomas), and nine patients had type III lesions (deep). Histologic examination showed noncaseating granulomas in all cases. A specific defect in the patients' lymphocytes ability to respond to M. marinum antigens was identified. A combination of surgery and tetracycline provided effective treatment. Follow-up averaged 2 1/2 years.     

Mycobacterium marinum osteomyelitis of a long bone

Mycobacterium marinum can uncommonly cause osteomyelitis of small bones of extremities. The reported cases in literature are reviewed. We report a rare case of long bone osteomyelitis which as far as we are aware, has never been described before. Even though this organism normally causes infection in the superficial cooler regions of the body, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of long bone osteomyelitis in patients with a history of immune compromise and the appropriate treatment strategy in such cases.     

Invasive Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand

Abstract

Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand is rare. We report the case of a 39-year-old man with M marinum infection that resulted in a chronic soft tissue infection, extensor tendon synovitis, and arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The cause was probably tropical freshwater fishes.     

Mycobacterium marinum infection in a renal transplant recipient.

BACKGROUND: Infections with atypical mycobacteria occur more frequently in patients with solid organ transplants than in the normal host. METHODS: We report a case of cutaneous Mycobacterium marinum infection in a renal transplant recipient. The patient presented with nodules on the forearm after returning from a fishing trip and was treated for cellulitis without success. RESULTS: Cultures of a biopsy of the lesion grew M. marinum. The patient was treated with ethambutol and ciprofloxacin with a good response; however, 9 months of treatment were required for complete resolution. CONCLUSION: Immunosuppressive therapy for renal transplantation increases susceptibility to a variety of opportunistic infections. A patient who presents with nodules on the extremities should be questioned regarding contact with fish, aquatic environments, or fish tank water, in which case infection with M. marinum should be considered. The diagnosis and treatment of this infection in transplant recipients is discussed.     

Mycobacterium marinum epididymoorchitis: case report and literature review

Mycobacterium marinum is the most frequent non-tuberculous Mycobacterium in humans. We report the first ever described case of epididymoorchitis resulting from hematogenous spread of M. marinum from hand oligoarthritis. This was initially mistaken for rheumatoid disease and methylprednisolone-induced immunosuppression led to hematogenous spread of infection to the testis and epididymis.     

Mycobacterium marinum infection in a lung transplant recipient.

We report a case of Mycobacterium marinum infection in a lung transplant recipient who presented with nodules on the hand and forearm following exposure to fish-tank water of a superficial hand burn. Skin biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis. Tissue culture grew Mycobacterium marinum. The patient underwent surgical excision of the lesions and treatment with ethambutol and azithromycin for 12 months and experienced complete resolution of the infection. Transplant recipients who receive immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk for opportunistic infections. For a patient with nodular lesions on the extremities, exposure to fish, fish-tank water, or swimming should suggest infection with Mycobacterium marinum.     

Septic arthritis of the hand due to Mycobacterium marinum

Mycobacterium marinum infections of the hand are very rare in the United Kingdom and we found only one case of involvement of deep structures (tenosynovitis) in the British literature. We report a case of septic arthritis due to the organism.     

Mycobacterium marinum hand infection: case reports and review of literature.

Three patients with Mycobacterium marinum infection are described. Key elements in the diagnosis of this infection are a high index of suspicion, taking a history with an emphasis on exposure to tropical fish or other potential sources of M. marinum infection, and tissue biopsy for culture and histology. The microbiologist should be informed about the suspicion of M. marinum infection so that appropriate cultures can be performed. As M. marinum does not grow under routine culture conditions, the diagnosis is easily missed resulting in delayed treatment. The treatment is essentially antimicrobial therapy for the superficial lesions supplemented by an appropriate surgical debridement especially when deep structures are involved.     

Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand and wrist. Results of conservative treatment in twenty-four cases

Inadequate débridement, extensive scarring, and breakdown of the wound have been commonly encountered after surgical débridement has been employed as the initial treatment of infection with Mycobacterium marinum involving the deep structures of the hand. Because of our disappointment with the results of this form of treatment, from 1982 to 1986 we treated twenty-four patients who had such an infection with rifampicin and ethambutol after a diagnostic biopsy was done. Surgical treatment was deferred until it was determined that the infection had not been controlled by the chemotherapy. The clinical outcome for these patients could be divided into three patterns: eleven patients (Group I) had a good result with no complications, three patients (Group II) had delayed healing of the wound, and ten patients (Group III) did not have a good response to conservative treatment and required one or more surgical débridements. Complications were sometimes associated with use of the drugs, and loss of visual acuity was a concern in three patients. In twenty-one (87 per cent) of the patients, at follow-up the function of the treated hand was equal to that of the other hand. Persistent pain, a discharging sinus, and previous local injection of steroids were unfavorable prognostic factors. If these factors are present, surgical débridement is advised.