The man developed granulomatous tumors due to his hobby of keeping aquarium fish.

Having enjoyed keeping ornamental fish for many years, Mr. T. (60 years old, Hanoi ) regularly changes the water and cleans the fish tank. This seemingly harmless task was the cause of his granulomatous condition due to bacterial infection from contaminated water.

Doctor Nguyen Tien Thanh examines a patient - Photo: Provided by the doctor

Dr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, a member of the Vietnam Dermatology Association, said he recently received a case of pool granuloma resulting from improper aquarium fish keeping.

The patient is Mr. T., a man who has been keeping ornamental fish for many years. Mr. T. shared that he spends hours every day taking care of his fish tank. He does everything himself, from changing the water to cleaning the tank, but without wearing gloves.

"For over a year now, a red, swollen lump has appeared on the second finger of my right hand. It's painless and doesn't itch, but it's inconvenient and unsightly. Despite visiting many doctors, there has been no improvement," Mr. T shared.

After a thorough examination, detailed medical history, and culture tests, Dr. Thanh diagnosed this as a case of granuloma caused by Mycobacterium infection - a common condition among aquarium enthusiasts, also known as pool granuloma.

According to Dr. Thanh, pool granulomas are a condition caused by the bacterium M. Marineum, commonly found in dirty water or fish tanks containing pathogens. These bacteria enter through small scratches on the skin, causing granulomatous lesions.

"In this patient's case, it's highly likely that the fish tank was contaminated with bacteria, and then the bacteria entered and caused the illness during the cleaning process using only hands," Dr. Thanh explained.

These granulomas are small, reddish-brown nodules or plaques 1-4 cm in size, possibly with erosions, hyperkeratotic and raised surfaces, usually without ulceration or necrosis. Some have crusts on the granuloma base, which may secrete pus. Some have small satellite papules, which may form subcutaneous tunnels beneath the granulomas on the hands, elbows, knees, and legs.

Patients often mistake it for benign lesions such as fungal infections, contact dermatitis, warts, etc. However, if left untreated, the condition can persist for many years, causing discomfort and affecting daily life.

According to Doctor Thanh, the disease is commonly found in people who habitually come into direct contact with fish tanks, aquariums, or swimming pool water environments contaminated with M. Marineum without wearing protective gear.

High-risk groups include aquarium enthusiasts who frequently clean tanks with bare hands, employees working in aquarium shops or aquatic environments, and fishermen.

How can we prevent the disease?

To protect themselves from the risk of contracting pool granuloma disease, Dr. Thanh advises aquarium enthusiasts to always wear protective gloves when cleaning the aquarium or handling dirty water. Maintain regular aquarium hygiene, change the water frequently, and clean the equipment in the tank. Avoid touching dirty water with bare hands, especially if you have scratches or open wounds; protective gear should be worn.

"If you notice unusual, persistent skin lesions, such as painless, red, itchy lumps that ooze fluid and don't heal, you should go to specialized dermatology clinics for timely examination and treatment," Dr. Thanh emphasized.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-mac-u-hat-vi-thu-vui-nuoi-ca-canh-20241130083905605.htm