the wound healed, but a couple of weeks later I noticed
redness and small, painful nodules at the site of the
scrape. My doctor gave me antibiotics and prednisone,
which helped, but the symptoms returned after a week
of treatment and now seem to be spreading. Could
something be growing in me?
A:
It is possible you have an infection caused by a
bacterium called Mycobacterium marinum. M.
marinum is a very slow-growing bacterium that
requires incubation periods of two to three weeks. It is
not always considered in differential diagnoses because
it primarily affects those specifically exposed to aquatic
environments. M. marinum infections may look like jellyfish
stings at the outset, and they may get better with the use of
steroids such as prednisone. Although steroids can relieve
symptoms, they do not address the cause of the infection.
As the infection slowly spreads, additional nodules can
appear along lymphatic pathways. Cultures for M. marinum
are slightly different than standard wound cultures (e.g.,
requiring particular growth media), and the infection may
be missed if the doctor isn’t looking for it. This bacterium is
resistant to many antibiotics and generally requires specific
and combination antimicrobial therapy that usually lasts
for two to four months. This period includes continued
antibiotics for one to two months after the infection
disappears. Once treatment has begun, your primary care
physician, a dermatologist or an infectious disease specialist
can monitor it.
AD
— Scott Smith, EMT-P, DMT
|
59
At
AKR
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adventure
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Due to the risk of infection by
Mycobacterium marinum or
other pathogens, divers should
avoid diving with open wounds.
