| Pet fish, both salt water and fresh water varieties, can | | | | that take a very long time to heal. Generally these |
| get you sick from a strain of bacteria related to human | | | | wounds are on the hands, arms or fingers. After the |
| tuberculosis. Although infection from this bacteria is | | | | wound closes, there may be some soreness and small |
| rare, certain precautions should be taken when | | | | nodules (called granulomas) around the wound. If this |
| cleaning and dealing with aquarium water, fish and | | | | disease enters the bloodstream, nodules may form in |
| products contaminated with aquarium water. This | | | | the veins close to the original wound. Because this |
| disease is very dangerous for those with a weakened | | | | disease is very slow growing, these nodules may take |
| immune system. | | | | 2-3 weeks and even up to several months to show |
| The layman term for this fairly rare fish tank disease is | | | | up. The infected wound may become ulcerous and |
| Fish Tank Granuloma. The scientific name for this | | | | close lymph nodes may become swollen. This disease |
| bacteria is mycobacterium marinum. If you think that | | | | may heal itself over time. Your doctor may be |
| you or your child has been exposed to or is suffering | | | | interested to know that this bacterium is gram-positive |
| from this disease, your smart move is to consult your | | | | which means it will retain a crystal violet dye for |
| physician who can help pinpoint the cause and | | | | identification purposes. |
| prescribe proper treatment. This article is for your | | | | It should be noted that this disease may also be picked |
| additional information only. I feel that it is always smart | | | | up at incorrectly chlorinated pools, from any fish |
| to do your homework before you consult your | | | | (uncooked), and from swimming in fresh and salt |
| physician. The more help you can offer your physician | | | | water in many parts of the world, including the United |
| on his diagnosis of a problem the better. | | | | States. Generally, a cut, abrasion or wound must be |
| The absolutely fist line of defense against this infection | | | | present along with the bacteria. |
| is to wear waterproof gloves when cleaning your fish | | | | Treatment varies and as of now, there is no set rule |
| tank or dealing with fish tank water. Even if you wore | | | | to which regimen of antibiotics works best. It can take |
| gloves, wash your hands and arms thoroughly with | | | | a long time to rid oneself of this disease. It can take 3 |
| anti-bacterial soap when you start and when you are | | | | months to almost a year of an antibiotic regimen. |
| done, just to be safe. This disease often enters the | | | | Often combinations of antibiotics are used such as |
| body through cuts and abrasions or any compromise | | | | tetracyclines, ethambutol, rifampicin, trimethoprim, and/or |
| of the skin so be particularly aware of this. Never drink | | | | sulfamethoxazole. Some physicians use Rifampin + |
| or taste your aquarium water for any reason. | | | | Ethambutol, Rifampin + Clarithromycin or Minocycline |
| The symptoms of Fish Tank Granuloma are wounds | | | | by itself. |