Fish tank Mycobacterium might cost you a limb

Came upon this old 2011 news article: http://www.businessinsider.com/florida-girl-fish-tank-hand-amputation-2011-6, of a girl who had gotten such a bad bacterial infection from a fishtank that it even started invading into her bones.
After reading that article and this pdf article:http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/00388mycoarticle.pdf by Dianna Walstad. It definitely made me think twice about putting my hand in a fishtank, and makes the idea of a UV filter seem more attractive.
I think the key is just to always apply good hygiene practices after you have been working in the tank and also to rather get some long gloves or maybe a plastic bag if you absolutely have to do maintenance in the tank when you have a scratched or bruised arm or hand.

 

Thanks @Good_Times for this> I never thought about this but I will definately look into getting UV lights on my other 2 tanks, got a cannester for the 300 cube with UV because the price was good. Might just be a good investment in the long run

 

Dam never new about this. Interresting, thanks

 

Yeah as Reedfish said. Supposedly Mycobacterium infections were common in swimmers before the widespread use of chlorine in pools, hence the alternative name "swimming pool granuloma". With the knowledge that you may be exposed you can also inform the doctor which will lead to a faster diagnosis and treatment and thus prevent the advanced infection as above.

 

I agree, remember that story also from the UK I think, where a man was playing with his dog, the dog's tooth just grazed his hand, and he got some sort of horrible infection and died? I'm not going to stop playing with my dog or spending half my life submerged in fish water. I'll be wary if I have open wounds, though (like after playing with my dog) (I'm joking, my dog is a sweetheart)

 

The girl is better now after battling the infection for something like five years (!!!) and didn't have to have her hand amputated, in case anyone was wondering, checked out the story a bit.

 

Here a little more, complete with medical text grade pics

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/sp/feature/

 

I agree. I was just armpit deep in my tank. My dogs are my kids just as much as the one I gave birth to. Some of the most horrible infections you can get, you pick up in a hospital where everything is supposed to be sterile....

The only thing I'm a tad bit concerned about is the amount of tank water I consume when siphoning...

 

Haha, I always feel a bit nauseous after accidentally drinking tank water, and I never know if it's only psychological

 

I think the most important thing to take from this is that if you do develop a mysterious infection or lump, that you inform your doctor that you have fish tanks and get tested especially for this particular infection. It doesn't easily get picked up in routine tests.

 

If you ever had a mouthfull of petrol/diesel, tank water is surely not so bad. Hygiene before / after working in your tanks seems to be the best.

 

You clearly also had an awesome childhood too! You cannot grow up until you have tasted petrol at least once :sick:

If I remember correctly there was an outbreak of that bacteria at one of South Africas premier natal swimming beaches a year or three back, Umhlanga beach if memory serves. A few people were seriously in a bad way from it until they found the cause and were able to sort it out.

I got tagged by my female Spilonutus about two weeks back that broke skin so if I start to swell up I know where im heading :idea:

 

Scary!!!

SAS

 

Hahaha lmga, I thought it was only me. I also had that same experience when I was a kid. Got a nice mouthful of leaded petrol from a VW beetle's tank, rinsed my mouth and ate a whole box of smarties but it didn't really help much.

The girl scratched her hand inside the tank, so If there is any Mycobacterium in the tank, I reckon the most you would find is on a solid surface rather than the water column itself. So her wound was subjected to that bacteria directly after it was made.

 

HAHAHAHA .... @Dinky: Thanks, I needed a good laugh early this morning :laugh:

 

okay guys.... seems that there are more of us who had their fair share of petrol and diesel...me included :nuts:

IMO it depends on the persons physical state. A bacteria infection that might affect one will not affect the other. Different immune systems, health history, diets, genealogy, family history of various cases and so many more. It does not hurt to be on the safe side as you do know what your body is susceptible to. No point in taking chances. I grew up in the Seychelles and lived out on a small island and had to commute by boat every day to the main island. Low tide the boat got stuck and I was pushing it and cut my foot on coral. I knew what bacteria and infections could arise so I washed my foot with petrol from the tank and never had a problem. So working with tanks like we do we just need to be vigilant.

my 2c :cheesy:

 

Bathing in petrol - Hard Core!