Changes

''Mycobacteria'' infect many species of '''freshwater, saltwater''' and '''aquarium fish'''. The latter species  are more likely to show a higher incidence of disease due to the chronicity of the disease and increased ages of aquarium kept fish compared to commercial fish.   

''Mycobacteria'' infect many species of '''freshwater, saltwater''' and '''aquarium fish'''. The latter species  are more likely to show a higher incidence of disease due to the chronicity of the disease and increased ages of aquarium kept fish compared to commercial fish.   

Some ''mycobacteria'' found in fish species are '''zoonotic''' and '''''M. marinum''''' and '''''M. Fortuitum''''', can cause '''skin disease in humans'''.  Outbreaks have been reported from '''cutaneous abrasions''' and '''exposure to contaminated swimming pool water'''.  ''M. fortuitum'' has been cultured from patients with pulmonary disease and local abscesses <ref name="Cruz, 1938">Cruz, J.C., (1938)  '''Mycobacterium fortuitum um Novo Bacilo Acidoresistente Patogenico para o Homen.''' ''Acta Medical Rio de Janeiro'', 1:297.</ref> and ''M. chelonei'' has been isolated from heterograph heart-valve transplants, synovial fluid and muscle (<ref name="Blacklock and Dawson, 1979">Blacklock, Z.M., Dawson, D.J., (1979) '''Atypical mycobacteria causing nonpulmonary disease in Queenland.''' ''Pathology'', 11:283-288.</ref>,  <ref name="Thoen and Schliesser, 1984">Thoen, C.O., Schliesser, T.A., (1984) '''Mycobacterial infections in cold-blooded animals.''' In: Kubica GP, Wayne LG, eds. ''The Mycobacteria: A Sourcebook Part B''. New York, USA: Marcel Dekker, 1297-1311.</ref>.

Some ''mycobacteria'' found in fish species are '''zoonotic''' and '''''M. marinum''''' and '''''M. Fortuitum''''', can cause '''skin disease in humans'''.  Outbreaks have been reported from '''cutaneous abrasions''' and '''exposure to contaminated swimming pool water'''.  ''M. fortuitum'' has been cultured from patients with pulmonary disease and local abscesses <ref name="Cruz, 1938">Cruz, J.C., (1938)  '''Mycobacterium fortuitum um Novo Bacilo Acidoresistente Patogenico para o Homen.''' ''Acta Medical Rio de Janeiro'', 1:297.</ref> and ''M. chelonei'' has been isolated from heterograph heart-valve transplants, synovial fluid and muscle <ref name="Blacklock and Dawson, 1979">Blacklock, Z.M., Dawson, D.J., (1979) '''Atypical mycobacteria causing nonpulmonary disease in Queenland.''' ''Pathology'', 11:283-288.</ref>,  <ref name="Thoen and Schliesser, 1984">Thoen, C.O., Schliesser, T.A., (1984) '''Mycobacterial infections in cold-blooded animals.''' In: Kubica GP, Wayne LG, eds. ''The Mycobacteria: A Sourcebook Part B''. New York, USA: Marcel Dekker, 1297-1311.</ref>.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

==Epidemiology==

==Epidemiology==

Fish may be '''infected by ingesting feed and water contaminated with faecal material, urine or exudates from diseased animals''' that contain mycobacteria (Ross and Johnson, 1962) Ross AJ, Johnson HE, 1962. Studies of transmission of mycobacterial infections of chinook salmon. Progressive Fish Culturist, 24:147-149. The identification of Mycobacteria and acid-fast bacteria in piscine ova and tubercle granulomas in ovarys of different species suggests that transovarian transmission may be a possibility.

Fish may be '''infected by ingesting feed and water contaminated with faecal material, urine or exudates from diseased animals''' that contain mycobacteria <ref name="Ross and Johnson, 1962">Ross, A.J., Johnson, H.E., (1962)  '''Studies of transmission of mycobacterial infections of chinook salmon.''' ''Progressive Fish Culturist'', 24:147-149.</ref>. The identification of Mycobacteria and acid-fast bacteria in piscine ova and tubercle granulomas in ovarys of different species suggests that transovarian transmission may be a possibility.

Mycobacteriosis can be '''sub divided''' into '''subacute''' and '''chronic forms''' and once fish are infected, mycobacteria spread via the circulatory or lymphatic system to other organs such as the '''spleen, kidney and liver'''.  Both hard and soft granulomas are formed in the chronic proliferative form and in severe cases larger granulomas form within visceral organs and loose connective tissues.  Mycobacterium has many '''vectors''' including '''crustaceans and molluscs'''.

Mycobacteriosis can be '''sub divided''' into '''subacute''' and '''chronic forms''' and once fish are infected, mycobacteria spread via the circulatory or lymphatic system to other organs such as the '''spleen, kidney and liver'''.  Both hard and soft granulomas are formed in the chronic proliferative form and in severe cases larger granulomas form within visceral organs and loose connective tissues.  Mycobacterium has many '''vectors''' including '''crustaceans and molluscs'''.