Disseminated Mycobacterium marinum infection with extensive cutaneous eruption and bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient

Streit, Markus; Böhlen, Lorenz M; Hunziker, Thomas; Zimmerli, Stefan; Tscharner, Gion G; Nievergelt, Helga; Bodmer, Thomas; Braathen, Lasse R (2006). Disseminated Mycobacterium marinum infection with extensive cutaneous eruption and bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient. European journal of dermatology EJD, 16(1), pp. 79-83. Montrouge: John Libbey Eurotext

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Mycobacterium marinum can cause fish tank granuloma (or swimming pool or aquarium granuloma) in immunocompetent patients. Dissemination of Mycobacterium marinum-infection is a rare condition which occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients and can be life-threatening. We report the case of an 87-year-old woman who was treated with oral corticosteroids for polymyalgia rheumatica for many years and developed erythema nodosum-like lesions on the right forearm and arthritis of the right wrist. By increasing the steroid dosage and adding methotrexate only short-term remission was achieved. Seven months later painful erythematous nodules occurred on all extremities which became necrotic, ulcerative and suppurative. Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed acid-fast bacilli and Mycobacterium marinum was cultured from skin biopsies, blood, and urine. The critically ill patient was treated with clarithromycin and ethambutol resulting in a dramatic improvement of the general condition. After four months, doxycycline had to be added because of new skin lesions. This case illustrates the impact of Mycobacterium marinum infection in immunocompromised patients.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Further Contribution)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Dermatology, Urology, Rheumatology, Nephrology, Osteoporosis (DURN) > Clinic of Dermatology 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Haematology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Pharmacy (DOLS) > Clinic of Infectiology 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute for Infectious Diseases
UniBE Contributor:	Streit, Markus, Hunziker, Thomas, Zimmerli, Stephan, Bodmer, Thomas, Braathen, Lasse Roger
ISSN:	1167-1122
ISBN:	16436349
Publisher:	John Libbey Eurotext
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:46
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2023 23:22
PubMed ID:	16436349
Web of Science ID:	000235797300015
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/18894 (FactScience: 1162)