Aquarium granuloma is caused by the Mycobacterium marinum bacteria. The bacteria is a a non-tuberculous mycobacterium found in non-chlorinated water. Infection starts when an open wound on the arm or hand is exposed to the bacteria. The disease causes skin lesions and takes from 11 to 56 days to incubate.
People most susceptible to Aquarium Granuloma are those who work with fish or own aquariums
According to the study, patients with the disease may not associate it with aquariums because of the prolonged incubation period. Also, people do not usually tend to think of aquariums being host to bacteria. This may lead to the patient not getting the appropriate treatment.
