Mycobacterium marinum...ewwww!

[Mobikob]

I stumbled upon this page the other day. all I can say is eww.
webpage (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/sp/feature/index.php)
I guess I'll try and limit my exposure to my tank to only 10 times a day. lol

Mobi:D

[c_stowers]

Thats pretty nasty. I wonder what the chances are of coming down with that. Maybe one of the med guys will through there 2 cents in on this.

[Countzer0]

ooh wow .... doh! .... Mimi i think i found my problem!!!! :)

[theop]

I don't know the chances, but it does happen. I have seen several cases presented over the last couple of years at Vandy.

The main risk factor for any type of skin infection like this is having a pre-existing injury or break in the skin.

[Mikeyjer]

After reading that, I was scared of it....I will have to watch my hands from now on. I've put my hands in my tank when I had a cut a couple of times before. I won't do that again....:eek2:

[TitansFan]

Just another reason to get a claw. Theop where did you get the one you have? It seemed to work well. Also your devils hand is looking great! Thanks alot for it.

[rsteagall]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12755&N=2004+113166

That is what Theop has and myself included.

[theop]

That's it. I have found it very useful and the scissor attachment can be used to frag soft corals and xenia.

[Countzer0]

After doing some more research... this is something that working at a fish store I should be worried about. I have a bad case of excema on my hands. I need a suggestion for getting in and out of tanks that still allows me to tie up bags. All the gloves either fill up with water or tear on the live rock and coral ...

any ideas ?

[fischcrazy]

I just put hydrogen peroxide on all of my cuts after i put my hands in the water. I find this suff useful because my clownfish will occasionally draw blood when she bites

[Rendos]

If anyone needs any first hand knowledge about this, ask Dave from Kermit's Reef...he has it, and has had it in the past.

[theop]

With a quick Pubmed search, I found two review articles about this and similar skin infections that can be aquired from the aquarium. I know there are several medically-minded people on here so if there is interest I can try to get them and scan them or make copies available at one of the meetings.

"Management of Extremity Trauma and Related Infections Occurring in the Aquatic Environment"

"Topically acquired bacterial zoonoses from fish: a review."

I am sure Mimi will want a copy if there are pictures! :)

In all seriousness, it would be a good idea for the reef club to keep a copy of one of these on hand just in case someone gets a strange infection. I can tell you that these are not common types of infections and the average practitioner/ER doc won't be thinking of these. Even if you tell them you have aquariums, probably only an infectious disease specialist would know what bacteria to be considering.

[just dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6966791#post6966791 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rendos
If anyone needs any first hand knowledge about this, ask Dave from Kermit's Reef...he has it, and has had it in the past.


Not exactly.

It seems I've most of the symptoms and if I do have it I've had it over two years. I've had a lot of blood removed and a biopsy so well see. Here is some more info on the CDCs (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol9no11/03-0192.htm) site. It's not that common so I wouldn't worry too much. Wash your hands with a antibacterial soap or hand sterilizer and stay out if you have a open cut / wound. My exposure level is going to be greater 'n most. I've actually had fish with it and have even done a necropsy on a couple.

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6960120#post6960120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Countzer0
After doing some more research... this is something that working at a fish store I should be worried about. I have a bad case of excema on my hands. I need a suggestion for getting in and out of tanks that still allows me to tie up bags. All the gloves either fill up with water or tear on the live rock and coral ...

any ideas ?

I get bad eczema form putting my hands in the tanks as well and my dermatologist prescribed Fluocinonide ointment. It works but you have to keep your hands out of the water for a few days. The Corallife gloves mentioned by Steven Pro in the linked article work pretty well but I haven't tried tying bags with them. You could always take the gloves off for tying since your hands won't be submerged.

[Mdwannabe]

Theop:

If you could E-Mail me copies I would appreciate it.
Mdwannabe@comcast.net
I'll provide it to my ER God's...I mean doctors :D, as they have already called me about "Coral", after learning I had a reef tank. Two of them actually lowered their standards enough to come to my house to see the tank, and the animals that caused problems they missed. :bounce2:
One ER doctor was suggesting surgery for a patient that came through, and said he had a Reef Tank that he thought was causing the problem. Luckily I knew him, and saw him in surgery holding. I asked him why he was there, he showed me his hand, and told me what he thought caused it. I called the "God's", they did a LITTLE research, pulled him from surgery holding, and sent him home with some kind of med's.
Live and learn or is it learn and live?

Thanks:
Rick

[rcmike]

I get sort of the same thing Chris if I am working in the tank a lot, especially in the winter. Going out in the cold wind drying out your skin and then sticking them in salt water sure isn't skin friendly.

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6979542#post6979542 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rcmike
I get sort of the same thing Chris if I am working in the tank a lot, especially in the winter. Going out in the cold wind drying out your skin and then sticking them in salt water sure isn't skin friendly.

Yep mine gets worse in the winter also. Funny thing is I didn't used to have this problem, it only sprouted up in the last couple of years or so. It's aggrivating more than anything else. I bought a bag of full arm length disposable gloves if I just need to stick my arm in there for a minute and I have the Coralifes if I need to do a bunch of work but I must admit I hate how they really restrict feeling. The way my tank is packed I end up knocking stuff over and I don't even know it:rolleyes: The 120 will definately be more "roomy" so the fish and I can get around easier in it:)

[Stinky2426]

After reading the site and a few threads, I think I am going to give away my tank. Just kidding, I'm with Mike. I am going to invest in some long cloves.