Scubcutaneous Mycobacterium marinum infection misdiagnosed as sporotrichosis: A case report

Abstract

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), are natural inhabitants of natural waters, engineered water systems, and soils. As a consequence of their ubiquitous distribution, humans are surrounded by these opportunistic pathogens. In this report, we describe a case of scubcutaneous Mycobacterium marinum infection associated with home tropical ornamental fish aquaria. A 43-years-old man reported progressively increasing nodules over his left forearm and hand for more than 7 months. Based on NTM culture, pathological examination, identification by gene sequencing and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, the diagnosis of scubcutaneous NTM infection was confirmed. The patient was treated with itraconazole for suspected sporotrichosis over 1 month. The patient was treated with oral doxycycline hydrochloride capsules (200 mg/day) for 5 months, the nodules had resolved. Home aquarium environments may serve as a possible source of mycobacteria infection in urban family.