I saw this:
"gl - Mycobacterium is the generia of bacteria that causes tuberculosis and also
leprosy (M. leprae). In the case of our fishes it is Myco. marinarium (sp).
Staining mycobacterium is not a straightforward procedure & I guess the
diagnosis in our fish may not be that easy either. As an undergrad it was not
an easy stain to perform. I think I remember a back issue of ANGFA or the info
bulletin suggesting that a Vibro organism? was the culprit in one case."
1. I'm not sure but I think Vibrios may be at least partly opportunist,
needing a wound to get going. They are very common in aquatic environments.
2. Looked up a micro text on mycobacteria - detection and culture are both
fairly demanding even for a well-equipped lab. Mycobacteria are apparently
slow-growing. BTW, M. marinum, the type fish get, has been known to cause
skin sores ("swimming pool granuloma") and occasionally a "series of
ascending subcutaneous abscesses" (eeyurgh!) moving up the affected limb in
people exposed to the bug.
If mycobacteria are so slow growing, would they be responsible for the sort
of ulcers that turn up under stress as people have described in the last few
days?
Cheers
Chris