This case is about a CLS student, "Phil E.", who owned a 50 gallon aquarium and had quite a collection of fresh water fish. His tank also contained fresh plants and "real rocks" that tended to grow slime.
While cleaning his tank one day, he cut his finger with the rough edge of the rock. His finger became infected within several days. Topical antibiotics did not seem to be effective and the infection grew progressively worse. Drainage from the wound site were taken and sent to the laboratory for smear and culture. Routine cultures yielded negative results.
Discussion questions.
1) What types of agents would you include in your suspect list?
2) Why did you suspect such agents?
3) How do you think he acquired the infection?
4) How would you proceed with the laboratory diagnosis of this infectious disease?