Diseases

Mycobacterium Marinum

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Mycobacterium marinum (formerly m. balnei) is a free-living bacterium, which causes opportunistic infections in humans. M. marinum sometimes causes a rare disease known as aquarium granuloma, which typically affects individuals who work with fish or keep home aquariums.

SYMPTOMS

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 bumpscrop up on the exposed body area in a classic pattern called sporotrichotic lymphangitis.

CAUSES

M marinum is the most common atypical mycobacterium to cause infection in humans. Infection occurs Following inoculation of a skin abrasion or puncture and manifests as a localized granuloma or sporotrichotic lymphangitis (see the image below).