ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A Mandarin native is warning others after contracting a rare bacteria while fishing near Pine Island, leading to nearly a year of medical complications and treatments.
Al Scott has been battling Mycobacterium marinum, a slow-growing bacteria that entered through a small cut on his thumb while fishing near Pine Island.
The infection gradually spread to his wrist over several months, resulting in multiple misdiagnoses, surgeries, and extensive medical treatments.
“It originated in my thumb on a little cut. It moved down my thumb into my wrist. But that took about two to three months,” Scott said.
Dr. Shilpa Amin, Medical Director of HCA Florida Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, emphasized the rarity of such cases.
“This is really rare. When somebody is infected with this disease, it’s a small little bump that shows up on the hand, sometimes weeks later,” she explained.
Scott’s path to diagnosis proved challenging, requiring “four X-rays and three MRIs before they were able to diagnose it.”
The condition was finally identified when an orthopedic surgeon performed exploratory surgery on the affected area.
The bacteria can be found in various water environments, according to Amin.
“It’s found in aquariums, pools that are not chlorinated enough, and also in freshwater fish that are contaminated with this bacteria,” she said.
The infection typically occurs when bacteria enter through an existing wound or from a fish bite.
For immunocompromised individuals, the infection could potentially be life-threatening.
Scott’s treatment regimen includes multiple daily medications.
“This is Ethan Butol. I take that once a day. There’s four pills a day. At night is when I take it,” Scott described one portion of his current medication routine.
Despite facing potential permanent nerve damage, Scott maintains his passion for fishing.
“I’m already making plans to go fishing again,” he said.
To prevent similar infections, Amin recommends:
- Avoiding water activities when you have open cuts or wounds
- Immediately cleaning any fish bite wounds/ or cuts discovered after being in the water
- Seeking medical attention for antibiotics after potential exposure
For more detailed information about Mycobacterium marinum, visit the National Library of Medicine’s research article.