Mycobacterium Marinum
Medical Author: Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD
Medical Editor: Frederick Hecht, MD and William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is Mycobacterium marinum?
Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is a slow-growing atypical
bacteria that is commonly found in bodies of fresh or saltwater in many parts of
the world. Skin infections with Mycobacterium marinum in humans are
overall relatively uncommon and are usually acquired from contact with aquariums
or fish. Most infections occur following skin exposure to the bacteria through a
small cut or skin scrape. The first signs of infection with M. marinum
include a reddish or tan skin bump called a granuloma. Less commonly, a string
or batch of the small reddish bumps crop up on the exposed body area in a
classic pattern called sporotrichotic lymphangitis.
It is somewhat rare to acquire this infection from well-maintained swimming
pools because of protection afforded by proper chlorination. Mycobacterium
marinum does not typically grow at normal body temperature. That is why it
remains localized to the cooler skin surface. Overall, diagnosis and treatment
of this unusual skin infection is often delayed because of a lack of suspicion
for this atypical mycobacterial versus more common bacteria like Staphylococcus.
What are other names for Mycobacterium marinum?
Some synonyms for Mycobacterium marinum and the resulting skin infections include tropical fish granuloma, fish tank granuloma, M. marinum, acid-fast mycobacteria, saltwater infection, freshwater infection, marine infection, marine bacteria, water-borne bacteria, and water-borne bacterial infection.
How common is Mycobacterium marinum?
Although rare, infections can occur worldwide, most commonly in individuals with occupational and recreational exposure to fresh or saltwater. In the United States, infections caused by
M. marinum are rare, with an annual estimated annual incidence of 0.27 cases per 100,000 adults. Of the approximately 100-150 annual cases, most are simple skin infections. The infection is very rare in children and is typically a disease of adults.
Next: How does a person get infected with Mycobacterium marinum? »
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