Mycobacterium marinum (Atypical Acid-Fast Bacillus) Infections of the Hand

Six cases of Mycobacterium marinum infections of the deeper structures of the hand are described which clinically and histologically were indistinguishable from tuberculosis. The infections became worse with steroid therapy. Surgical débridement with appropriate drug therapy (ethambutol or rifampin) was the treatment of choice. The organism must be suspected and then cultured at 30 to 32 degrees centigrade instead of the usual 37 degrees.