title: Clinical, microbiological, and epidemiological findings of an outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus hand-and-foot disease.
abstract: In 2003, we identified an outbreak of clinically distinct lesions involving the hands and feet associated with a public wading pool in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. A total of 85 cases were identified. The management and follow-up of 41 children and 1 adult patients is presented. Skin lesions occurred within a median incubation period of 29 days and approximately 88 days for the adult patient. Lesions resolved within a median of 58 days and approximately 150 days for the adult patient. Patients were treated with clarithromycin, topical antibiotic dressings, and/or incision and drainage of pustules or followed without treatment. All resolved without complication. The pool was closed and cleaned. The M. abscessus hand-and-foot disease is characterized by the onset, mainly in children, of tender, erythematous papules, pustules, and abscesses with a self-limited course. This is the first documented M. abscessus outbreak associated with wading pool exposure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G3. research@mdskinhealth.com
authors.forename: Marlene T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Dytoc
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Honish
authors.forename: Cary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shandro
authors.forename: Patricia T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fiorillo
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fanning
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Predy
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Rennie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013551:Swimming Pools