Fish-To-Human Disease Transfer Risks

[Oddball]

FISH TANK GRANULOMA

Mycobacterium marinum


Hazards abound in our aquariums and many of those can be quickly recognized: such as sharp rocks and coral, sponge spicules, bites from fish with sharp teeth and venomous stings by fish and invertebrates. However, it is the unseen hazards from the microscopic world that need to be given some of our attention. Hobbyists and professionals involved in caring for marine aquariums are continuously exposed to a myriad of microscopic life. The majority are not harmful, given the aquarist is in good health. However, there are hazards in our aquariums that might not be noticed until the harm has already been done. This is not a cause for alarm but an opportunity for awareness. Forewarned is forearmed! The greatest potential for human contraction of a disease associated with their aquarium comes from the bacterium Mycobacterium marinum.
This particular strain of bacteria belongs to the same group that causes tuberculosis in humans and is sometimes called fish tuberculosis. Mycobacterium marinum was described by Aronson, (1926) from dying fish in a marine aquarium on display at the zoological garden in Philadelphia. Fish harboring this disease begin to show symptoms of a problem when they are stressed, kept in an unclean aquarium, and or suffer from a dietary deficiency. Unfortunately the external symptoms of fish tuberculosis in marine fish may be confused with other diseases. Often, it is not until a necropsy is preformed on the internal organs that granulomas or tubercles are discovered. Infected fish will most often not spread the disease unless other fish are suffering from similar stress factors. A fish will not recover if the granuloma is not recognized and treated early enough, or if antibiotic treatment is unsuccessful. Consult the references at the end of this article for treatment of this disease in marine fish. Because the bacterium can be waterborne, it is of concern to people in contact with water from marine environments, especially when they have open wounds.
The most common form of contraction of this disease by humans cleaning or working in a marine aquarium is through an open wound or abrasion. Without a bandage or dressing the exposed area is subjected to many microscopic bacteria, protozoa. Fortunately the human immune system has the capability to ward off most of these potential problems. However, this is not the case with Mycobacterium marinum. Infection by this bacterium most often occurs in the fingers, hands or arms. It is most commonly noticed as an open wound that does not heal "normally". That is to say, it takes an unusually long period to heal. When it does heal or close there are some residual features to the area. The first is some form of swelling in the wound area and secondly dry, surrounding skin. In addition the wound may look infected and feel sore. Followed by enlarged, reinforced cells creating firm nodules of skin. See photograph. The nodules or granuloma may continue to grow causing some localized soreness. If Mycobacterium marinum enters the blood stream, then it is possible for nodules to form in the veins. These "lumps" can be felt by rubbing the veins in the associated limb where the wound occurred. Feel in the area of the wrist and arm if the wound is in the hand area, or the ankle and thigh area if it is a foot wound.
It is important to note that not all infections occur from aquariums. A report in the Maryland Medical Journal appeared in 1995 of 41 cases of Mycobacterium marinum disease in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It showed that most of the infections were related to recreational exposure, i.e. swimming, in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. In 1993 the International Journal of Dermatology published a survey of fish tank granuloma from Thailand. The researchers found 18 cases reported over a 20-year period where the infection was acquired from occupations and hobbies related to fresh or saltwater.
Cases of Mycobacterium marinum are rather uncommon. The first indicator of a potential infection is a cut or puncture wound that does not heal properly and may take many weeks to close. If a problem is suspected, immediately consult a physician or dermatologist. It is important to mention to them that you are involved in a hobby or profession involving saltwater. In 1994 the Journal of Hand Surgery reported that in a study of 33 Mycobacterium infections, the average delay between the infection and correct diagnosis was 1 year. So discuss the potential of fish tank granuloma with a health worker sooner rather than later. Due to its uncommon occurrence, many physicians are not aware of fish tank granuloma. If you suspect an infection of this bacterium and your physician is not aware of it, find one who is.
Treatment involves the administering of antibiotics and depends on the response of the individual. There is no set rule of one particular drug to treat Mycobacterium marinum. Often, up to six different antimicrobial regimes may be needed before the infection responds to a particular combination. Recovery time can vary but is considered to be long. Once a particular antibiotic treatment is considered effective it can take from 6 months for most patients to more than 10 months in others to recover. Fish tank granuloma is a gram-negative bacterium and responds to different drugs in different people. The most common antibiotics administered for treatment are combinations of sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, rifampicin, ethambutol and tetracyclines.
Prevention is the first line of defense for anyone involved with marine aquariums, or anyone working or recreating in a marine environment. To reduce the chances of contracting a disease, the following suggestions are recommended:
Bandage or dress any open wound or cut before working in or around saltwater. The use of salves or ointments in conjunction with bandages should not harm the aquarium inhabitants. But in ether case remember is more important to protect yourself. If there are any concerns about the aquarium inhabitant's exposure to the wound dressings, then a latex glove may be worn to protect you and the aquarium.
Use antibiotic soaps and wash hands thoroughly before and after exposure to aquarium water and components.
Don't drink aquarium water. This is not as strange as it sounds. Whether checking for salinity or starting a siphon avoid swallowing the saltwater.
Although cases of Mycobacterium marinum are uncommon, it is best to consult a physician sooner rather than later if any of the symptoms mentioned are suspected. The issue of infectious diseases associated with saltwater is a real one. An awareness of the potential problems, early diagnosis, and prevention are our best defenses.

References:


Bower, C. E., 1983. The Basic Marine Aquarium. 269 pp. Charles C. Thomas, Publisher.
Joe, L. and Hall, E., 1995. Mycobacterium marinum disease in Anne Arundel County. Maryland Medical Journal. Vol. 44 (12): pp 1043-1046.
Kozin, S. H. and Bishop, A. T., 1994. Atypical Mycobacterium infections of the upper extremity. Journal of Hand Surgery. Vol. 19 (3): pp 480-487.
Kullavanijaya, P., Sirimachan, S., et al., 1993. Mycobacterium marinum cutaneous infections acquired from occupations and hobbies. International Journal of Dermatology. Vol. 32 (7): pp 504-507.
Moe, M. A., 1992. The Marine Aquarium Handbook, Beginner to Breeder. 315 pp. Green Turtle Publications.
Schaperclaus, W., 1992. Fish Diseases. 2 volumes. 1398 pp. A. A. Balkema, Publisher, Rotterdam.
Untergasser, D., 1989. Handbook of Fish Diseases. 160 pp. T. F. H. Publications.

 

[Oddball]

Nonindigenous Diseases and Parasites in Freshwater Systems

Some diseases, including parasites, of marine species can be transferred to humans. Sindermann (1990a) concluded that the principal public-health problems from diseased marine fishes are the ingestion of larval worms (nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes) and the handling of raw marine fishes. The latter can impart microbial, chronic granulomatous lesions that are caused by mycobacteria, erysipelas, and other inflammatory lesions of the skin and septicemias from infection of superficial wounds by vibrios and other bacterial genera.

Adams et al. (1970), Black et al. (1971), Kelly (1976), and Wilson (1976) reported that the bacterium Mycobacterium marinum was transmitted from fishes to humans from marine aquariums; whether this disease is nonindigenous to Florida is not known.

Janssen (1970) summarized the literature on fishes as potential vectors of human bacterial diseases. Reichenbach-Klinke and Elkan (1965) stated that transmittal of fungal or viral diseases from fishes to humans has not been demonstrated. However, they emphasized that little investigation has been conducted on this topic. The transmittal of bacterial diseases from fishes to humans and vice versa is discussed. Bullock (1964) showed the close relationship of bacterial organisms of diseases in fishes and in humans, especially in the genera Aeronomas, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio . Some human diseases can be traced to swimming pools, aquariums, or tropical fish tanks (Oppenheimer 1962 and Middlebrook 1965). Brunner (1949) called attention to the role of fishes as actual and potential vectors of many human diseases.

Wells et al. (1973) stated that 300,000 of the estimated two million annual cases of human salmonellosis in the United States were probably contracted from pet turtles. Pet turtles carry the disease, which multiplies in dirty water in the turtle bowl or in the shipping bags. The association of the bacterial species with turtles has been of suggested considerable significance to public health (McCoy and Seidler 1973). For this reason, the United States Congress enacted legislation that prohibits the interstate shipment of turtles harboring Salmonella and Shigella.

In the early 1970's, despite the attention given to the terrapins, little consideration had been given to the role of other aquarium species as vectors of potential pathogens for humans (Wells et al. 1973). Little attention had been given to the ornamental fishes, although large numbers of them are imported into North America from areas of the world where sanitation is often inadequate and where numerous diseases of humans are endemic. Many of these fishes are offered for sale to the public. An estimated 20 million household aquaria are in the United States (Axelrod 1973). In addition, aquaria with ornamental fishes are often in public school classrooms, medical and dental offices, eating establishments, department stores, and nursing homes and even in hospital wards. The presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in these aquaria presents a risk to public health. Janssen and Meyers (1968) discussed the infection of fishes with human pathogens.

Trust and Bartlett (1974) monitored water with ornamental fishes from retail stores and found that the aquarium water contained significant numbers of a wide variety of bacteria. These bacteria probably originated from the fishes and often include coliforms and fecal coliform counts that were significantly higher than allowed for recreational and bathing waters in the United States and Canada. They found that 75% or more of the samples contained Citrobacter, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, and Vibro, and Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Enterobacter, Flavobacterium, and Streptococcus were isolated from 45 to 65% of the samples. The concentration and type of bacteria were similar to those in waters with small pet green turtles (McCoy and Seidler 1973; Wells et al. 1973). However, Shotts and Gratzek (1984) pointed out that some of the bacteria belonging to the genus Citrobacter can be confused with bacteria causing human salmonellosis in this country. Some of the organisms were potential pathogens of humans. Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated were also from the samples that Trust and Bartlett (1974) examined. Both are potential pathogens of humans and can be of considerable clinical significance (Weistreich and Lechtman 1973).

Trust and Bartlett (1974) pointed out that the bacteria that are shipped with fishes are provided with a liquid menstruum with added nutrients in the form of fish feed, surfaces for colonization, heated water, and aeration, which are perfect conditions for the culture of the pathogens. A wide variety of bacterial species capable of causing disease in humans are able to grow on commercial fish diets as the sole source of nutrients (Trust and Money 1972). Moreover, some of these fish diets also contain potential pathogens of humans (Trust and Money 1972). Other studies revealed that human pathogens such as Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, and Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae can survive and multiply in the gut, mucus, and tissues of fishes (Janssen 1970).

The etiological agents of eye, ear, nose, and throat, gastrointestinal, and genito-urinary infections in humans that could be fish or water borne are rarely identified accurately and more rarely traced to their sources (Janssen 1970). Janssen (1970) stated that the relationship of bacteria in aquaria with clinical conditions in humans is worthy of investigation by public health officials, especially because so little consideration and research have been devoted to the possibility of fishes and aquaria as vectors of human pathogens. He suggested, for example, the incidences of enteric infections in clerks who are involved in the sale of aquarium species may be worthy of study. The current sale of ornamental fishes represents a unique situation in which the public can purchase a mixed bacterial broth with as many as 107 cells/ml that may include potential pathogens. The establishment and enforcement of regulations that are similar to those for the control of turtle-borne disease are needed (Janssen 1970).

After Trust and Bartlett (1974) reported the results of their studies of the diseases and parasites from aquarium fishes and the fishes' transport water in Canada, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of the United States funded a 3-year study to determine the existence of a similar problem in the United States, the magnitude of the problem, and the potential import of new exotic tropical disease or parasite species that could be health hazards to humans (Shotts & Gratzek 1984).

As part of the study that the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of the United States funded (Gratzek et al. 1976; Shotts et al.1976), samples of blood, slurry, and shipping water from 77 bags of fishes in 16 shipments from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Bangkok were examined. The examinations revealed that 61% of the samples contained fishes with some type of parasite (Table 3 ). Gill flukes were the most common type of parasites. Intestinal examinations revealed 12.5% were infected with nematodes or acanthocephalans in the intestines or in surrounding tissues, indicating that the fishes probably were intermediate hosts. Bacteremias were in 51 bags and represented 11 genera of bacteria. The most common were Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Proteus, Citrobater, Enterobacter, and Escherichia. Two species of other bacteria, Salmonella arizona and Mycobacterium spp., were found. The latter is universal in water. The virus isolate (Acanthophthalmus spp.) was in some kuhli loaches (Family Cobitidae). The investigators concluded that the parasite load from Southeast Asia was less than expected. They did not consider the finding of Salmonella significant.

Shotts et al. (1976) and Gratzek et al.(1978) concluded that, because no mycoplasmas were in any of the fish tissues or water samples from Southeast Asia, the organisms are not considered a serious threat or source of contamination in Southeast Asian aquarium fishes and that their transportation in shipping water is of negligible significance to human health in the fish industry. Shotts et al. (1976:735) further noted the flora in the bags did "not differ significantly from those present in fish under natural conditions, or in pond-raised food fish." They felt that neither the fishes nor the transport water were a source of disease to humans because no widespread outbreaks had ever been associated with aquaria. Shotts and Gretzeh (1984:230) concluded "Common hygiene practice should minimize the exchange or the existing bacterial flora between the pet and the owner."

Shotts and Gratzek (1984) described a 3-year study that the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council funded to determine the potential ecological impact of the introduction of fishes or their transportation water from South America and Southeast Asia on the health of humans, domestic animals, and native game and fish species. A sample of fishes from Florida was also sent to their laboratory in Georgia for evaluation and for a comparison of the frequency and type of diseases and parasites in domestically shipped fishes with foreign shipped fishes.

Shotts et al. (1976) found that 69% of the bags contained fishes with bacteremias (Table 3 ). When tissue suspensions of fishes were examined, 18 genera of bacteria were noted. Fourteen genera were associated with the shipping water. In each case, the two predominating organisms were Pseudomonas spp. (not aeruginosa) and Aeromonas hydrophila complex. Other organisms were Citrobacter, Proteus, Escherichia, Micrococcus, Mycobacterium, and Flavobacterium. Mycoplasmas were not recovered.

The presence of Escherichia coli indicated that the water with the fishes was contaminated with animal or human wastes. Samples from Florida contained the least evidence of contamination, even though the domestic fish farmers were told not to treat their fishes before shipment. The results from this study are related to the type of culturing in different parts of the world. Fishes from Southeast Asia are raised in intense culture for maximum yield in the smallest possible space and as economically as possible. In contrast, fish culture in Florida is a selective management approach--fishes are raised in ponds. Most of the South American fishes are usually captured in the wild (Shotts and Gratzek 1984). The bacteria frequencies reflect the culture techniques. The cited studies revealed that the parasites were common in cultivated food fishes or in ornamental species.

Shotts and Gratzek (1984) found that the methods for shipping and handling the fishes affected the results of the tests. The fishes from Southeast Asia and South America had experienced several transfer points where dead fishes were discarded from the shipment. The fishes probably died from diseases, parasites, and stress of shipping and handling. Most fishes in Florida were not treated before being shipped. Treatment of the fishes before shipping can reduce diseases and parasites.

The South American fishes were frequently from wild populations and 98% of them in the bags were infested with monogenetic trematodes, metacercariae of digenetic trematodes, plerocercoid stages of cestodes, and nematodes. Treatment before shipment would reduce the pathogen load.

Conroy et al. (1981) found more parasite species such as leeches (Lemea) and the isopod Lironeca (common parasites in tropical fishes in the United States) than Shotts and Gratzek (1984). However, fishes that Conroy et al. (1981) examined were caught in the wild and were not treated before examination. Shotts and Gratzek (1984) concluded that there was no major difference between the species in foreign sources and species from domestic sources. Some organisms, however, could severely debilitate tropical fishes. Shotts and Gretzek (1984:230) did not consider that the "microorganisms already present in this country via aquarium fishes presents a source of potential health hazard to humans, domestic species or indigenous wild animals or fish in the United States" and concluded their report with the statement "while there are 'exotic' aquarium fishes, there do not appear to be 'exotic' aquarium fish parasites." From the same series of studies, Shotts et al. (1976:735) stated that "It would be presumptuous to assume from our findings that aquarium fish, or their transport water, present a source of potential disease to humans, especially as no widespread outbreaks of human disease have been directly associated with aquaria." However, the confirmed presence of the bacteria Mycobacterium in salt-water aquaria confirms a threat to aquarists.

The subject of diseases in the pet trade, in general, puts the industry in a different position. Representatives of the pet-fish industry are frequently reluctant to talk about problems with diseases for fear that it will result in additional regulations. Privately, they however admit that diseases of their stocks during confinement in close conditions, during either culture, transportation, or holding are a serious problem.

Ganzhorn et al. (1992) pointed out a pathogen usually is studied when mortality becomes heavy during the culture of fishes and when the disease is a bacterium or virus and the exact identification of the organism is in doubt. Attempts to detect diseases in the absence of clinical problems is difficult because the disease organism is usually present in small numbers and difficult to recover, especially if the organism is a carrier of the disease. In the absence of symptoms in the fishes, the organisms may be present in small numbers and may be difficulty to find. During or immediately before a disease outbreak, the numbers of the organisms increase rapidly and the organisms can be more easily found. Mild cases of a disease are usually not detected but are only noticed when the population explodes. Most detection techniques that are routinely used only identify the organisms to genus level. Identification to species is time consuming and requires an expert in the field of identification of that group. Identification to species level is not needed to prescribe a treatment.

Our literature searches revealed no evidence of an infection of a human by freshwater aquarium fishes in Florida. Saltwater aquariums have been implicated as a vector in infections of humans with the bacteria Mycobacterium marinum (Adams et al. 1970, Black et al. 1971, Kelly 1976, and Wilson 1976).

Twice during routine sampling in 1991, toxigenic Vibrio cholerae 01, resembling the Latin American strain that had earlier caused an epidemic cholera outbreak in Central America, was recovered from seafoods from closed oyster beds in Mobile Bay, Alabama (McCarthy et al. 1992). Nonendemic pathogenic species can be inadvertently introduced into a region when ballast water or sediments of bulk-cargo vessels are discharged. Vessels that entered the Mobile Bay from Central America may have carried V. cholerae in their ballast water, bilge water, or sewage tanks. Toxigenic V. cholerae was taken from the ballast, bilge, and sewage of three of the foreign vessels in the harbor (McCarthy et al. 1992). The last port of calls of the vessels in the harbor had included Brazil, Columbia, and Chile. Exchange of ballast water on the high seas could have reduced some of the potential spread of this disease and other diseases and organisms, but the exchange of ballast water on the high sea is only part of a prevention of the spread of nonindigenous organisms by shipping.

In November 1979, five cases of non-O group 1 (non-O1) V. cholerae gastroentertis occurred in the panhandle of Florida (Wilson et al. 1981). The source of this outbreak was traced to the consumption of raw oysters from the Oyster and Apalachicola Bay in Florida. Oyster and water samples from the bay revealed the disease organism. Because the two infected sites were in separate locations, the authors believed that the source was human fecal material from sewage that was washed into the areas by heavy rains or that the heavy rains changed the ecological environment to favor the growth of the V. cholerae organism. The initial origin of the organism was not identified.

We could not determine the source of the outbreaks of cholera that took place in the early development of this country, but it is believed that the strain of V. cholerae in these cases resulted from the introduction of a more virulent form from South America because of the timing of the outbreak with an outbreak in South America and the nature of the organism (Wilson et al. 1981). The strain was considered different from the toxigenic strain that is endemic to the estuaries of the northern Gulf Coast; it lacks haemolysin and the VcA-3 vibriophage, and it has a different chromosomal restriction pattern (McCarthy et al. 1992).



Fish Diseases Transmitted to Humans
Notes from a talk given to the Saltwater Enthusiasts Association of the Bay Area (SEABay) by Adrian Lawler, Ph.D.
(retired) Aquarium Supervisor (l984-l998) J. L. Scott Aquarium Biloxi, MS
Aquarticles

...Finally, in this short presentation, I would like to briefly discuss fish tank diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Some can be difficult to cure?.some can be quickly FATAL.

Fish TB (MYCOBACTERIUM MARINUM)
, also called fish tuberculosis, fish tank granuloma, swimming pool granuloma. Related to human TB and leprosy.

* Bacteria are very resistant to treatment. Usually occurs on extremities (hands, feet). Entrance through wounds. Incubation ranges from 2 days to 2 years; usually takes about 2 weeks for granuloma to appear at site of infection. Infected area may be pink to purple in color, may discharge pus, and may be painful to touch.
* Treated with human TB drugs (local doctors have used minocycline, rifampin, ethambutol, and biaxin); can take a long time to cure (year or more).
* People have gotten fish TB from fish spine punctures, cleaning fish/shrimp/crabs, getting scratched on fish tanks, from rose bushes and injuring bare feet in parking lots (infected water transferred via air during storms), mouth-siphoning fish tanks, dolphin bites, diving around reefs, splinters from fish net handles, etc. - Usually not fatal. Can get into joints and mimic arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
* Most frequent type of aquatic infection seen in my area.

VIBRIO infections.

* Several species can infect humans: V. ALGINOLYTICUS (wound infections), V.DAMSELA (wound/systemic infections), V. PARAHAEMOLYTICUS (gastroenteritis/wound infections),V.VULNIFICUS (wound/gastroenteritis/systemic infections).
* Systemic infections with vulnificus or damsela can be rapidly FATAL, or lead to limb amputation.. Systemic infections gotten through wounds.
* Incubation of vulnificus is 1-5 days; median time is 28 hours. Symptoms include high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, seizures, fluid-filled skin lesions, etc.
* Gastrointestinal infections via ingestion of vulnificus (eating raw oysters, etc) and other species of Vibrio can cause rapid dehydration, and can lead to systemic infections if bacteria enter blood. Vulnificus can multiply so rapidly that blood vessels and organs get clogged?sometimes leading to amputation or death. - Antibiotics utilized have been tetracycline, ampicillin, penicillin, gentamycin, etc. (Also see Dr. Bingman's paper of 4/6/97 at REEFS LIBRARY).

ERYSIPELOTHRIX RHUSIOPATHIAE
, also known as erythema migrans, fish-handler's disease, fish poisoning, fish hand, sealer's finger, whale finger, blubber finger, etc.

* Disease primarily occupational ?..people handling animals or their wastes can get it, e.g.: butchers, meat-processing workers, animal caretakers, farmers, fishermen, veterinarians, cooks/housewives, sewer workers, etc. Can persist in frozen meats.
* Incubation 1-7 days. Fever, malaise, pain in muscles & joints, severe headaches. Infections can go internal to C. nervous system/heart. Most commonly seen on hands-can lead to acute arthritis of finger joints.
* Bacterial infection through break in skin. Carried by many animals, including dolphins, shellfish, and fish. - Also known as "diamond skin disease," where diamond-shaped welts occur on the skin due to infection.
* Effects usually benign, but can be fatal. Systemic treatment is with antibiotics.

SALMONELLA
... over 1600 serotypes identified.

* Infection by ingestion. Carried by many types of animals.
* Mild to severe gastroenteritis. Can by fatal thru rapid dehydration, septicemia, fecal infections.
* Incubation is 7-72 hours.

MAD FISH DISEASE
... caused by STREPTOCOCCUS INIAE.

* Recently reported from handling tilapia. Infection via puncture wounds.
* Can cause fever, shaking, meningitis, arthritis, and skin/blood infections.
* To protect yourself - do not handle organisms/water/tanks if you have skin breaks; do not dive if you have skin breaks; do not mouth-siphon tank water, do not ingest raw seafood, etc. Wash hands, etc. well after working on tanks, with seafood, and after diving. If punctured, or injured under water, allow the wound to bleed freely for a while to expel injected bacteria, then sterilize and protect wound.

Those people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for getting the above infections. So people with AIDS, diabetes, liver dysfunction, kidney problems, or undergoing cancer treatment, etc. should be especially careful. (SEE: Hubbert et al. Diseases Transmitted from Animals to Man. Charles C. Thomas, Publisher. ISBN 0-398-03056-1)

Toxins produced by RED TIDE organisms and PFIESTERIA PISCICIDA
can affect humans in various ways.

* PFIESTERIA exposure can lead to skin sores, memory loss, narcosis ("drugged" effect), reddening of eyes, severe headaches, blurred vision, nausea/vomiting, difficulty in breathing, kidney/liver dysfunction, severe cognitive impairment (can't remember name, address, etc), etc.
* Relapses have happened 6 years after initial exposure.
* PFIESTERIA is now classed as a BIOHAZARD III, and can be researched only in specially-equipped labs.

 

[Lupin]

Very informative posts. Wow...You just created it right after seeing a thread by one member in General Aquaria Discussion eh?

 

[Oddball]

Actually, I've posted these a while back but, they dropped off the site. I just reposted the backup files I have on disk..

 

[ethnics]

the chance of getting something from a fish is probably less chance then getting something from cows n pigs. but thanks for the info

 

[Oddball]

the chance of getting something from a fish is probably less chance then getting something from cows n pigs. but thanks for the info

I wouldn't say so since I'm around fish and never around cows and pigs.

 

[KnivesRule]

I was just diagnosed with Mycobacteria marinum. Well actually I diagnosed myself since the doctor had no clue. I got stabbed by a piece of live rock about 4 weeks ago. Not a serious cut, just a small puncture wound. It seemed fine until about 2 weeks later when it got red and irritated. I thought my body was just trying to expel some piece of debris which somehow did not get washed out after I got stabbed. So I let it go for about a week, but it kept getting worse. The doctor they refered me to had no clue so I did some internet searches and found out about M. marinum. My finger lession looks very similar to the photo posted in this thread and is rather painful. The doctors were not convinced and put me on antibiotics which would wipe out every other possible bacteria. But to no avail. Now I am looking at 3-8 months of antibiotics. I am not sure which tank I got it from. I first assumed the saltwater tank where the injury occured, but I have had my hand in all the other tanks as well. Thankfully none of my fresh or saltwater fish are sick. I have since bought some Aqua Gloves (made by coralife i think) for my further under water activities in my tanks. Although the infection is localized and grows very slowly at body temperature, it can be very serious if not treated or even life threatening in a person with any immune system weakness. I am a microbiologist so I thought I was aware of the dangers of bacteria and viruses in my tanks. But even a very small seemingly insignificant injury can be an opening for a serious infection. So to all..be very careful especially if you have any breaks in your skin and feel the need to put your hands in your tank.

 

[Arachnar]

have had 2 fish die of this so far, that darn tuberculosis!

 

[ewurm]

Man, I hope my fish don't kill me. LOL

 

[KnivesRule]

What types of symptoms did your fish have? How do you know this is what they died from?