CASE REPORTS
JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Mycobacterium marinum skin infections. Report of 31 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium marinum is a rare cause of skin infections, and its treatment has been based primarily on the personal experience and preferences of individual investigators without the benefit of large studies.

METHODS: Thirty-one patients with confirmed M marinum infection were identified at 33 Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region medical centers by microbiologic records, and their charts were reviewed.

RESULTS: The upper extremity was affected in 90% of cases, and lymphatic or local spread was seen during the initial examination or during observation in 25 patients (81%). Granuloma was present in 22 (63%) of 35 biopsy specimens, and staining for acid-fast bacteria yielded positive results in two of 22 specimens. Cure or improvement occurred in 22 (81%) of 27 patients in whom outcome could be evaluated. Treatment with ethambutol plus rifampin appeared more successful (effective in five [100%] of five cases) than minocycline treatment (effective in 10 [71%] of 14 cases), although not significantly so (P = .28). Adverse reactions, most of which were gastrointestinal, occurred in five patients (18%).

CONCLUSION: Ethambutol plus rifampin appears more useful than minocycline in treating cutaneous M marinum infection. This result remains to be confirmed by larger clinical studies, which may be difficult because this infection is relatively rare.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app