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[Seal finger in Denmark diagnosed by PCR-technique]
Louise Charlotte Jansen1, Ulrik Stenz Justesen, Signe Moeslund Roos
1Afdeling for Mikrobiologisk Overvågning og Forskning, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark. louisejansen@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Seal finger is an unusual infection in Denmark but is seen quite often in Greenland. A 69 year-old Danish man developed severe infection after cutting his finger on a sea urchin while handling a fishing net. Treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics had no effect. Standard culture from the lesion was negative. A Mycoplasma species was detected by PCR and DNA sequencing and subsequently cultured on special media. Specifically asked about exposure to sea mammals the patient could inform that a dead seal had also been trapped in the fishing net.
Insights
Seal finger, a rare Danish infection, was identified in a patient exposed to a dead seal. Mycoplasma species, detected via PCR, caused the severe infection unresponsive to antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Seal finger is endemic to Greenland but rare in Denmark.
- The infection is typically associated with handling seals or marine mammals.
Observation:
- A Danish man presented with a severe finger infection after contact with a sea urchin and fishing net.
- Initial treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics was ineffective, and standard cultures were negative.
Findings:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected a Mycoplasma species.
- The identified Mycoplasma was subsequently cultured on specialized media.
- Patient recall revealed exposure to a dead seal entangled in the fishing net.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for Mycoplasma species, possibly from seals, to cause severe infections.
- Diagnostic challenges include negative standard cultures and the need for specific detection methods like PCR.
- Awareness of seal finger etiology is crucial for clinicians in regions with potential marine mammal contact.
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