[MUCHO REEF]

Originally Posted by LiveStrongM3

My father is a dermatologist and has treated a few of these cases. As for me (a current medical student and avid reefer), I am not worried enough about it to wear gloves in my tank. The main reason is that most people who acquire this disease have a genetic predisposition for being infected. The majority of the population wouldn't get M. marinum even if their tank is full of it since their immune system fights off the infection.


Thank you for your informative reply, much appreciated, but I have to disagree with you on several points. I think your reply, with good intent, undermines the intent of every author of the links above which is to exercise caution by using protective measures even though your remarks were limited to M. Marinum.

You may very well be brave to place your hands in your tank without fear of M. Marinum or any of the other potential dangers listed above. I feel your comments will surely lead others whom are new to the hobby to do the same and not exercise the use of gloves. Your remarks could very well cause someone to drop their guard while following your lead and I pray that nothing happens to them based upon your reply. So I have to ask you, how many reefers do you truly think are aware that they have a “genetic predisposition for being infected”, as you have stated? How many reefers who have read your remarks are also aware of their strong or their weak immune system to ward off this infection as you spoke of above?


Now if you have had a diagnosed case of M. marinum infection in the past, you need to seriously consider getting out of the hobby or be extremely careful since reinfected is likely. One of my father's retired patients had a half dozen aquariums in his house and had to give up the hobby because of this disease.



It goes without saying that after the fact, sure, one who is infected with M. Marinum would and should mostly likely exit reefing all together or take some very serious measure to wear a NASA suit whenever they are near their tank. However your remarks are reactive and not proactive as the damage, or should I say they infection, has already transpired. This thread seeks to inform the public of said hazards BEFORE the fact.

M. Marinum isn't the only potentially harmful infection/pathogen which might occur in aquaria, however I can assure you there are more.


1. There are several in the genus Vibrio.
2. Also Erysipelothrix insidiosa.
3. Cercarial Dermatitis

According to the link below.

http://www.freshwater-aquarium-fish...._pathogens.htm

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/232038-overview



Although M. marinum can have some devasting systemic effects, this mostly happens to patients that wait too long to seek treatment. If caught early, M marinum is treated with no residual effects. If you have had an inflammatory skin lesion on your hands/forearms for over a week (see picture below), go see a dermatologist (not a primary care physician) ASAP. Always remember to say that you are an aquarist when they take your history.



Again, you're under the assumption that everyone knows what you and your father knows. This thread was written to enlighten and inform those who are simply unaware of the potential dangers in their systems as well as several others which you didn’t address as a medical student.

You advise the wearing of gloves for protection against M. Marinum, yet you state openly that you won’t wear them yourself is highly conflicting.

To everyone else, please be vigil in knowing that Palytoxins, Vibrio, Erysipelothrix insidiosa and Cercarial Dermatitis etc and more, with potential dangers which possibly exist in your system. This thread was not created to scare anyone, but to inform, enlighten and educate on the possible dangers in this great hobby.

As an avid reefer and med student, I really think you should clarify the seriousness of the (ALL) the dangers listed above and below even if you choose not to use protection, which is your right my friend. That would be a great help to all who read this. Why?

Above there is a guy who could have lost an eye.
A little girl who could have lost her hand/arm because of M. Marinum
A dog whom lost his life because of possible palytoxins.
A guy who lost a nail
A man who’s finger looks like a rainbow
A man who lost a chunk of flesh
A man who boiled some rock and became ill.
And one of the most potent and deadliest neurotoxins known to man potentially in a reef take.


If you are infected, one should also consider seeing someone in Infectious Diease



The two biggest things you can do to reduce your risk of of developing M. marinum (other than wearing arm length gloves):

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and never put your hand in your tank if you have any open cuts.

2. Make sure your tank has a UV sterilizer. This will dramatically limit the amount of pathogenic bacteria in your tank's water column


Typical M. marinum lesion:

I agree as I originally stated with vigorous hand washing. However a UV Sterilizer will indeed kill pathogens but for those with filter feeders in their reef tanks, it can also wipe out their food source. If all we have then is hand washing, I think some protective measures are advised. Don't you agree?

With all due respect, I'm not being argumentative at all, I am just enjoying the exchange/discussion/feedback and thank you for your replie(s) and it is ok to respectfully agree and disagree.


Mucho


Also, please consider seeking out a specialist in Infectious Disease.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-0...ture/index.php



Please vote everyone. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2063850