title: Mycobacteria in aquarium fish: results of a 3-year survey indicate caution required in handling pet-shop fish.
abstract: Fish are commonly infected with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which should be regarded as potential pathogens when handling aquarium fish and equipment. This study examined 107 aquarium fish from pet shops. Cultivation of the fish samples using different selective media was conducted for identification of NTM. Isolates were identified using the GenoType Mycobacterium common mycobacteria and additional species assays, sequencing of the 16S rRNA and rpoB genes, and real-time PCR assay for identification of Mycobacterium (M.) marinum. Among the investigated fish, 79.4% (85/107) were positive for mycobacteria, with 8.2% (7 of 85) having two mycobacterial species present. Among the positive fish, the common pathogens M. marinum, Mycobacterium fortuitum (M. fortuitum group) and Mycobacterium chelonae were identified in approx. 90% of fish and other NTM species in 10%, including Mycobacterium peregrinum/septicum, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium arupense, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium ulcerans and Mycobacterium setense. The well-known human pathogen M. marinum was present in 10.6% of the positive fish (9 of 85). The species of mycobacteria identified in the study are not only recognized as aquarium fish pathogens, but can also cause pathology in humans. Microbiological and clinical communities should therefore be sensitized to the role of NTM in infections associated with exposure to aquarium fish.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kušar
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zajc
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jenčič
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ocepek
authors.affiliation: Mycobacteria and Brucella Section, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, United States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), Ames, IA, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.affiliation: National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria, University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Žolnir-Dovč
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pate
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005399:Fishes; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017524:Slovenia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: 
  Mycobacterium marinum
  ; 
  Mycobacterium setense
  ; 
  Mycobacterium ulcerans
  ; aquarium fish; non-tuberculous mycobacteria; zoonoses