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