TB to Me?
- Thread starter LogJam
- Start date
Yes that's exactly true.
Chances are low. Like one in a million. I have never heard anything that resulted in humans getting sick, though I'm sure it has happened before.
Chances are low. Like one in a million. I have never heard anything that resulted in humans getting sick, though I'm sure it has happened before.
Actually, TB is transmissable to humans from fish quite easily. However, it's not that common of a fish disease, and it's preventable by ensuring that you do not work in your tank with an open wound. This is NOT the same TB as the human version. This version results in lumps, or calcium growths, often located on or near joints. The growths must be removed, and a series of antibiotics given for several months. Search on marine mycobacterium for more.
To be frank, it's not that big of a risk. One that we should be aware of? Certainly--just like you're aware of the risk of driving in a car--you have better chances of getting in a car wreck.
To be frank, it's not that big of a risk. One that we should be aware of? Certainly--just like you're aware of the risk of driving in a car--you have better chances of getting in a car wreck.
OK, fair enough. So, what are the indicators I can look for to be able to recognize and identify if my fish ever get TB? I've looked on some of the fish disease websites that some of you have mentioned on this forum. Unfortunately, Fish TB is the one disease that is not covered as well as others. (Probably because its rare).
But I'd like to know what to look for....
Kind Regards,
LogJam
But I'd like to know what to look for....
Kind Regards,
LogJam
Fish TB ussually is only externally identifiable in the advanced stages of the disease, symptoms are ussually white nodules on the body, scale loss, skeletal deformities, abnormal bulges. Early indicators are the usual for most bacterial diseases, loss of appetite, wasting, fin clamping, scale loss, eye bulge, associated fin rot.
Diagnosis of a mycobacterium infection is ussually easiest by performing a disection and microscopy of internal organs (looking for white/gray nodules (tuberculous cysts), these ussually primarily appear on the liver, kidneys and intestines).
Fish TB is actually pretty common, but the disease is not especially virulent under most conditions, and fish that are otherwise healthy can often keep an infection at bay for many years without showing visible symptoms.
Best course of action is to euthanize the fish showing the most obvious symptoms and try to diagnose via microscopy. If tuberculous cysts are found on internal organs, all other fish showing obvious symptoms should also be euthanized. Regular vacuuming and water changes should be employed to help lower bacterial load, antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline and erythromycin may be somewhat effective, but don't count on them.
Diagnosis of a mycobacterium infection is ussually easiest by performing a disection and microscopy of internal organs (looking for white/gray nodules (tuberculous cysts), these ussually primarily appear on the liver, kidneys and intestines).
Fish TB is actually pretty common, but the disease is not especially virulent under most conditions, and fish that are otherwise healthy can often keep an infection at bay for many years without showing visible symptoms.
Best course of action is to euthanize the fish showing the most obvious symptoms and try to diagnose via microscopy. If tuberculous cysts are found on internal organs, all other fish showing obvious symptoms should also be euthanized. Regular vacuuming and water changes should be employed to help lower bacterial load, antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline and erythromycin may be somewhat effective, but don't count on them.
Fish can carry TB for a long time and only ahve it break out when they are under stress. Signs include bent spines, and open sores. In people this disease will cause and open sore and an intense infection. Most references actually call this disease Fish TB, but it is not actually TB and it is transmissible to animals other than fish. Fish TB is caused by Mycobacterium marinum, a bacterium closely related to the TB bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
"Prevention is key to avoiding this disease since it is so difficult to cure. The immune system is usually enough to prevent an infection in healthy fish. Stress, which suppresses the body's immune system, and/or wounds in fish are most likely to allow an infection to take hold. Therefore, eliminating stress is paramount. Although aquarists don't frequently get this disease, using gloves when cleaning infected tanks is highly recommended. Starting a siphon by mouth is also a good way to expose yourself unnecessarily to the bacteria. If a tank has been infected, it is considered best to bleach it well and dry it out before restocking it."
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Keefer_FishTB.html
"Prevention is key to avoiding this disease since it is so difficult to cure. The immune system is usually enough to prevent an infection in healthy fish. Stress, which suppresses the body's immune system, and/or wounds in fish are most likely to allow an infection to take hold. Therefore, eliminating stress is paramount. Although aquarists don't frequently get this disease, using gloves when cleaning infected tanks is highly recommended. Starting a siphon by mouth is also a good way to expose yourself unnecessarily to the bacteria. If a tank has been infected, it is considered best to bleach it well and dry it out before restocking it."
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Keefer_FishTB.html