Mycrobactrum Tb

backwoodssteve · Feb 16, 2015

Does anybody know anything about Mycobacterium TB. Does it show up in tuberculosis test. What are courses of treatment for it in people. Is it transferable. Once in a person is it a bloodborne pathogen. How can it be tested for.

Mike J. · Feb 16, 2015

To answer your questions in order: Test for it are terberculin skin test, acid stain test, and chest radiography. A six month period of antibiotics is standard treatment. It is highly contagious and is an airborne pathogen which is also transmitted through saliva. In 2008 it was estimated that one third of the worlds population were carriers of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It is not a blood borne pathogen.

Any other questions?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 17, 2015

Why are you asking?

backwoodssteve · Feb 18, 2015

In September I tested positive for both gram positive and gram negative bacterial infections. they couldn't pinpoint what it was. said I had staff, treated me for multiple different things. but did not fix it.my freshwater tank at the same time had a gram-positive bacterial infection and I had a great die off of angels and discus. it seemed to correlate with my problems.by November it was worse. they cultured the wound again and said I had rhodotorula.which they attempted to treat but still did not resolve the problem. my friend who is a marine biologist believes that I have the Mycobacterium TB.I have asked them to test me for it they say its not covered by my insurance is it expensive and difficult test.I told them I thought they could find out doing the tuberculosis test. they said no. so I thought I would ask someone else. in 6 months they have diagnost me with 4 different things and had me on 6 different medications none of which is fixed the problem. It seems to all go back 2 when my freshwater tank got sick. I have 3 fresh water tanks and 3 saltwater tank.in 6 months dave diagnost me in 6 months they have diagnose to me diagnost me with 4 different things and had me on 6 different medications none of which is fixed the problem. It seems to all go back 2 when my freshwater tank got sick. I have 3 fresh water tanks and 3 saltwater tanks.

backwoodssteve · Feb 18, 2015

Bad typo sorry.

Mike J. · Feb 18, 2015

So sorry you've been sick for so long. I'll pray for you. Sure hope you get better soon.

Mike J. · Feb 18, 2015

You mentioned a wound; is the wound on your hand or arm. What are your symptoms? Do you have lung related problems? Have you looked into Mycobacterium marinum?

ghostman · Feb 18, 2015

I've never had fresh water tanks, but I had a long standing bout with mycobacterium marinum. It was identified by surgical removal of masses on the back of my hand, and cultured for several weeks. It is difficult to test, and I had to have 3 different surguries to finally get a diagnosis. It was resolved with a course of heavy antibiotics and sulfa. The best antibiotic for it was rifampin, but it carries some extreme side effects. Your doctor can treat you for mycobacterium without a positive diagnosis. Ask him to research this and get on the ABs as soon as possible. I documented my experience on RC if you want to check it out. Good luck.