[Seal fingers and other infections transmitted from seals]

Seals and other Pinnipedia my carry a range of infectious agents which could be of clinical interest. A paramyxovirus infection caused epizootic seal death around danish coasts in 1988, but as the population is now recovering more contacts between seal and man must be envisaged. Bites and other forms of direct and indirect contact and carry a risk of development of seal (or blubber) finger. This entity encompasses oedema of the affect finger, swelling of the interphalangeal joint adjacent to the lesion, and no suppuration. The condition is extremely painful and may lead to residual dysfunction or amputation. There is circumstantial evidence that the condition is caused by mycoplasma, and Canadian researchers have identified three species, one of which has been directly linked to blubber finger. At the first medical contact after seal bites and other seal-inflicted lesions thorough cleansing with water and soap is recommended. Systemic therapy with tetracycline is recommended, but both fluorquinolones and macrolides may be efficacious.