Mycobacterium marinum
Synonym(s)
HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Non-tuberculous mycobacterium found in salt and fresh water.
M. marinum is the etiologic agent in swimming pool granuloma and is isolated exclusively from superficial lesions or affected lymph nodes (Petrini B 2006). Typically, patients have contact with aquaria. Infections with this germ are also described as a consequence of therapies with biologics (Ferreira J et al. 2012; Kump PK et al. 2013). M. marinum grows preferentially at 31 °C. Photochromogenicity is a characteristic feature. It should be noted that IGRA tests may be positive here, as with M. kansasii, M. flavescens, and M. szulgai, and thus are not suitable for ruling out tuberculosis (Lalvani A et al. 2008).
General definitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Slow-growing, aerobic, acid-fast rod that thrives primarily at about 26-33 °C (optimum 31-32 °C) in humid environments. Infected fish and snails contaminate fresh and salt water. Occurs also in insufficiently chlorinated swimming pools.
No transmission from person to person. Infections often occur during contact with aquariums, fish breeding tanks or fish tanks, swimming in contaminated waters, swimming pools or whirlpools, and handling infected fish or seafood (fish processing).
Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.
Clinical pictureThis section has been translated automatically.
Infection usually via previously damaged skin. At the site of injury (e.g. back of the hand, fingers, lower leg, toes), individual, livid or brownish-red, indurated, 0.5-3 cm large, often painful papules or nodules with a verrucous surface develop after an incubation period of 2-4 weeks. Subsequent superficial ulceration and crust formation. Rarely secondary infestation of the draining lymph ducts (sporotrichoid course along the lymph channels). Frequently occurring in immunocompromised patients.
Clinic see below. Swimming pool granuloma.
TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.
Resistance testing shows resistance to INH and sensitivity to EMB, RMP, and clarithromycin for M. marinum. For infections with M. marinum, a two-drug combination with clarithromycin and RMP for several months is recommended, depending on the granuloma extent and healing process (four months or more) (Aubry A et al. 2002). Therapy can probably be optimized by the addition of EMB through the synergistic effect with RMP. Combinations of clarithromycin and EMB and of RMP and EMB have also been reported to be well effective. Furthermore, minocycline, doxycycline, and trimethoprim/sulfmethoxazole can also be used (Griffith DE et al. 2007). For deeper skin and soft tissue infections caused by M. marinum, surgical intervention (debridement) may be indicated, but only in combination with drug treatment.
ProphylaxisThis section has been translated automatically.
Avoid bathing activities in case of superficial skin injuries, or cover with sterile and waterproof bandages before being in the water.
Wear waterproof protective gloves when working in aquariums, fish tanks or fish processing.
Sufficient chlorination of swimming pools.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Aronson JD (1926) Spontaneous tuberculosis in slat water fish. J Infect Dis 39: 315-320
- Aubry A et al (2002) Sixty-three cases of Mycobacterium marinum infection. Arch Intern Med 162: 1746-1752
- Brans R et al (2004) Cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium marinum. successful therapy with rifampicin and clarithromycin. Dermatologist 55: 76-79
- Ferreira J et al (2012) Mycobacterium marinum: an increasingly common opportunistic infection in patients on infliximab. Am J Gastroenterol 107: 1268-1269.
- Griffith DE et al (2007) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 175: 367-416.
- Hofbauer GF et al (2000) Sporotrichoid infection with Mycobacterium marinum: successful therapy with oral tetracycline administration. Dermatologist 51: 349-352
- Kump PK et al (2013) A case of opportunistic skin infection with Mycobacterium marinum during adalimumab treatment in a patient with Crohn's disease. J Crohns Colitis 7: e15-18.
- Lalvani A et al (2008) Screening for tuberculosis infection prior to initiation of anti-TNF therapy. Autoimmune Rev 8: 147-152
- Petrini B (2006) Mycobacterium marinum: ubiquitous agent of water-borne granulomatous skin infections. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 25: 609-613.
- Seidel A et al (2022) Skin infection by Mycobacterium marinum - diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. An Bras Dermatol 97:366-368.