Another reason to always wear gloves: Vibrio

[Ninong]

We've had several threads over the past few years about the dangers of Mycobacterium marinum but this current news story concerns the potentially deadly consequences of a Vibrio infection (probably V. vulnificus):


Man dies after being pricked by crab

SINGAPORE - A man pricked by a live crab he was preparing for dinner died 48 hours later in a rare case of flesh-eating bacteria infection from seafood, a news report said on Thursday.

Tan Boon Hock, 83, put a bandage on the small cut but began vomiting and suffering diarrhoea hours later. He was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department of the National University Hospital.

“The doctors told us that he had been infected by a rare flesh- eating bacteria called Vibrio, and ... it was most likely that the crab spread the bacteria to him,” The Straits Times quoted son Tan Aik Cheng as saying.

In a bid to prevent the virulent bacteria from spreading throughout his body, doctors amputated the patient’s arm, but it was too late.

You can read the rest here.

 

[GreshamH]

Vibrio IIRC is very common in our tanks so definitly take heed!

 

[ralphie16]

that's it im done with this hobby. back to bettas..unless they can kill me too?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9543096#post9543096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ralphie16
that's it im done with this hobby. back to bettas..unless they can kill me too?

The bacteria that can be in the water can too. Sorry.

 

[Jocool]

At 80 years of age, your skin is a little thin. Besides I believe when its your time to go, it's your time to go.

Oh and it was His time to go. =)

 

[Gundo5000]

NUTZ!

 

[danceswithfish]

Whats the deal with Mycobacterium marinum? Should I be taking percations?

 

[Ninong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9548026#post9548026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danceswithfish
Whats the deal with Mycobacterium marinum? Should I be taking percations?

Glad you asked. Mycobacterium marinum is just one of many different nasties that could attack you. And you had better read up on the possibilities so that you can advise the hospital's emergency room staff what you think it might be because they will not be familiar with your problem. It's not every day that they see a case of M. marinum infection. If you would like to see what it looks like, check out this Reef Central thread started by Sean Tobin.

Steven Pro wrote an article on M. marinum for the July 2003 edition of Reefkeeping magazine.

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9541811#post9541811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreshamH
Vibrio IIRC is very common in our tanks so definitly take heed!

Vibrio (as genus) is probably the most abundant bacteria in the marine environment. There are lot's of species, many harmless or only opportunistic pathogens that only become infectious under certain conditions (usual stressful bad conditions). Some, however, are very virulent. Fortunately the later are not as common, as Vibrio can be infectious to humans.

 

[danceswithfish]

Man, I got pricked by my yellow tang afew months ago! I am glad that I didn't get sick.

Yes, those spines on tangs tales are REALLY sharp lol.

 

[Chad Vossen]

i didnt like putting my hands in the tank before cuz i didnt like getting wet... now i have a whole new and much better reason to keep out...

 

[sedorusc]

I got hit by my tang to. man that causes a bloody mess, but I'm lucky to still be here. guess I'm going to have to break down and actually buy a pair of gloves that aren't cheap plastic.

 

[Palani]

I remember about a year or two ago a man who fell into the Ala Wai canal in Honolulu, HI died from the very same thing. It doesn't surprise me though. All of the sewage gets dumped into there. eeeewwwwwwuuuuu.

 

[kathainbowen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9543096#post9543096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ralphie16
that's it im done with this hobby. back to bettas..unless they can kill me too?

When it comes into contact with an open cut or wound, old betta water has been known to give nasty infections. It won't kill you, unless you leave such an infection untreated. Not to scare you away from keeping bettas or other labyrinth fish, just to be honest.

Basically, even if you DO use gloves as a precaution, you should always wash your hands carefully after handling animals and their associated things, especially before touching your face, nose, eyes, mouth, or food intended for human consumption. I believe, as I recall, the USDA suggests washing hands for a minumum of 30 seconds, covering the front, back, in between fingers, and under/around nails.

Sorry. Old habit from also being a reptile enthusiast who had long since grown tired of hearing, "Turtles give you salmonella!"

 

[pledosophy]

Vibrio is very very common. It is in almost everything, even the food you feed. In humans, it's called cholera.

I take no precautions. JMO

 

[slojmn]

I remember as a kid growing up in the surf that all my cuts, scrapes, and open wounds healed so much faster when I was in the water a lot, like during spring and summer. I guess I am lucky I didn't get the flesh eating bacteria.

I remember that SeanT thread when it was originally posted...I still don't own a pair of gloves. I probably need to get smart, suck it up and get a pair to be safe.

 

[fishgirl7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9549000#post9549000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ninong
Glad you asked. Mycobacterium marinum is just one of many different nasties that could attack you. And you had better read up on the possibilities so that you can advise the hospital's emergency room staff what you think it might be because they will not be familiar with your problem. It's not every day that they see a case of M. marinum infection. If you would like to see what it looks like, check out this Reef Central thread started by Sean Tobin.

Steven Pro wrote an article on M. marinum for the July 2003 edition of Reefkeeping magazine.

i got myco by getting stuck by a fish and they didnt know what it was so they sent a biopsy out to be cultured- it is hard to culture and it took a month just to get a genus back - they never did figure out whether it was marinum or chesapeakii strain - it was mild compared to what vibrio or staph will do - we had three peeps get vibrio in the river near by and one guy died in 5 days -cut on a barnacle !my myco looked like small warts -not bloody or open

 

[wojo]

dammit, i am getting good gloves next week. Anyone can recommend good ones?

 

[wojo]

forgot to add one question, my sailfin is chasing me every time i put my hands in tank and i have to either scare him away with my other hand or pull my hand out before he strikes. when i get good gloves would his "tail attack" cut the gloves and possibly my skin or gloves should protect me? thanks

 

[wilcalil]

83 years, probably his body functions was not good