Pulmonary Mycobacterium marinum infection: ‘fish tank granuloma’ of the lung

Prasad Palani Velu*, Susan E. Fernandes, Ian F. Laurenson, Donald D. Noble

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A 65-year-old man presented with a six-month history of lethargy, weight loss and dry cough. He had a background of mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chest radiograph showed new right upper lobe cavitary opacification. Sputum cultures were acid-fast bacilli smear positive and yielded Mycobacterium marinum – a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) often found in aquatic environments and rarely associated with respiratory disease. The suspected source was silent aspiration of contaminated water, likely due to his initiating the siphon of his fish-tank by mouth. He completed a one-year course of rifampicin, ethambutol and clarithromycin, with negative repeat sputum mycobacteria cultures and radiological improvement. This case report demonstrates a successful approach to investigation and further management of Mycobacterium marinum pulmonary disease – a rare condition, particularly in immunocompetent individuals, with limited treatment guidelines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)203-206
Number of pages4
JournalScottish Medical Journal
Volume61
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Nov 2016

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Infection
  • Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
  • Pulmonary

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