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Identification of Mycobacterium marinum in sea‐urchin granulomas
Author(s) -
De La Torre C.,
Vega A.,
Carracedo A.,
Toribio J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04293.x
Subject(s) - mycobacterium marinum , granuloma , biology , polymerase chain reaction , sea urchin , biopsy , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , mycobacterium , bacteria , gene , immunology , medicine , genetics , ecology
Background Sea‐urchin granuloma is a chronic granulomatous reaction arising after injury with sea‐urchin spines. Classified as an allergic foreign‐body type of granuloma, it is believed to be a delayed‐type reaction to an as yet unidentified antigen. In a clinicopathological study, 50 biopsy specimens from 35 patients diagnosed as having sea‐urchin granuloma caused by Paracentrotus lividus , we found different inflammatory patterns that in some cases suggested a mycobacterial infection. Objectives To investigate and identify mycobacterial DNA in formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded skin biopsy specimens diagnosed as sea‐urchin granulomas. Methods A search combining polymerase chain reaction amplification using Mycobacterium genus‐specific primers, and subsequent restriction enzyme analysis enabling identification to the species level, was performed in 41 samples. Results Amplification of a 924‐bp DNA fragment encoding mycobacterial 16S rRNA gene was positive in eight biopsy specimens from seven patients (21%). M. marinum ‐specific restriction patterns were identified in three samples. Conclusions Although further controlled studies are necessary, from these data it would appear that myobacteria may play a pathogenic role in some cases of sea‐urchin granuloma.