Can I contract mycobacteriosis by handling striped bass?
There is a slight potential for human infection from handling striped bass infected with M. shottsii and other mycobacteria. Concern is warranted because M. shottsii is closely related to M. marinum, a species known to pass from infected fish to humans via handling. However, M. shottsii prefers growth at cooler temperatures than M. marinum. It seldom grows in laboratory cultures at 30°C (86°F), suggesting that it may not produce infections in humans. Anglers should thus: • return any fish with skin lesions to the water • wear gloves when handling striped bass • take particular care if they have a cut, scrape, or abrasion on their hands or arms, and wash thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with fish or open water. Individuals whose immune systems are weakened or compromised because of disease or immune suppression therapy should be especially careful to avoid wounds or abrasions. Human infection by M. marinum following exposure to the marine environment probably req
