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Recent work has demonstrated that the diversity of skin-associated bacterial communities is far higher than previously recognized, with a high degree of interindividual variability in the composition of bacterial communities. Given that skin bacterial communities are personalized, we hypothesized that we could use the residual skin bacteria left on objects for forensic identification, matching the bacteria on the object to the skin-associated bacteria of the individual who touched the object. Here we describe a series of studies de-monstrating the validity of this approach. We show that skin-associated bacteria can be readily recovered from surfaces (including single computer keys and computer mice) and that the structure of these communities can be used to differentiate objects handled by different individuals, even if those objects have been left untouched for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Furthermore, we demonstrate that we can use a high-throughput pyrosequencing-based ap-proach to quantitatively compare the bacterial communities on objects and skin to match the object to the individual with a high degree of certainty. Although additional work is needed to further establish the utility of this approach, this series of studies introduces a forensics approach that could eventually be used to independently evaluate results obtained using more traditional forensic practices.

Seal finger is a rare zoonotic bacterial infection typically caused by Mycoplasma species, transmitted from seals (Pinnipedia suborder) to humans. First documented in 1907, this disease remains under-researched despite growing relevance as humans increasingly encroach on Arctic regions. We conducted a review of multiple databases to evaluate its history, prevalence, at-risk populations, and treatment options. The infection primarily affects individuals who have close contact with marine mammals, including fishers, hunters, sealers, and marine biologists. Seal finger usually presents similarly to panaritium, with localized swelling, erythema, and pain. Due to its rarity and limited awareness among healthcare providers, the infection is often unrecognized, leading to wounds going untreated or being managed with inappropriate antibiotics. This mismanagement allows the infection to progress, potentially involving joints or spreading further, which could have been effectively prevented with a course of tetracycline. Further research is essential to better understand the epidemiology of seal finger and improve timely diagnosis. To reduce complications, more education is needed for physicians working in coastal, Arctic, and aquarium settings about recognizing the disease and administering proper treatment. Enhanced awareness and research can improve patient outcomes and increase the safety of human interactions with seals.

An Alaska Native hunter developed fever, swollen finger, and septic hips after harvesting seals. Evaluation of hip tissue by 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction and sequencing revealed a putative novel mycoplasma species. We report the identification of this organism and describe the first known case of disseminated seal finger mycoplasmosis.

Mycobacterium szulgai is a rare, atypical pathogen predominantly associated with pulmonary infections but capable of causing suppurative tenosynovitis—a potentially devastating infection of the tendon sheath. This case involves a patient presenting with insidious pain and swelling of the right index finger. After multiple consultations, the patient was indicated for surgical exploration which revealed significant flexor tendon sheath tenosynovitis and inflammation with subsequent cultures growing M. szulgai. The patient was treated with a broad-spectrum antibiotic regimen, adjusted postoperatively based on culture results. Significant improvements in finger mobility and swelling reduction were observed by the 6-week follow-up. This case emphasises the necessity of comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and precise antimicrobial therapy in managing rare mycobacterial infections, contributing valuable insights to the limited literature on non-tuberculous mycobacterial tenosynovitis.

Mycobacterium marinum causes a rare cutaneous disease known as fish tank granuloma (FTG). The disease manifestations resemble those associated with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). The aim of this study was to determine whether FTG was the cause of cutaneous lesions in patients who were referred to the Parasitology laboratory of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad to be investigated for CL. One hundered patients, clinically diagnosed with CL between April 2014 and March 2015, were included in this study. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was performed to identify acid-fast Mycobacterium in addition to bacterial cultures using Löwenstein-Jensen medium. Skin lesion samples were also collected and kept on DNA banking cards for PCR testing. Twenty-nine of the 100 individuals with skin lesions, and therefore suspected of suffering from CL, tested positive for Mycobacterium marinum by PCR. Of these, 21 (72.4%) were male and 8(27.6%) were female. In 97% of these cases the lesions were located on hands and fingers. These patients had a history of manipulating fish and had been in contact with aquarium water. A sporotrichoid appearance was observed in 58.6% of the patients with mycobacterial lesions; 67% of patients had multiple head appearance. Patients suspected to have CL and who test negative for CL could be affected by FTG. Therefore, after obtaining an accurate case history, molecular diagnosis is recommended for cases that give a negative result by conventional methods.

The etiologic agent of seal finger (speck finger) is unknown. Seal finger occurs after a seal bite, and the symptoms include acute pain, swelling, discharge, and, in some cases, there is joint involvement. The discovery of Mycoplasma species in epidemics of seal disease prompted attempts to link seal finger to mycoplasma. Mycoplasma species were isolated in cultures of a specimen from the finger of an aquarium trainer who was bitten by a seal and of a specimen from the front teeth of the biting seal. The two Mycoplasma isolates were identical biochemically; they were serum-dependent and hydrolyzed arginine. The isolates were susceptible to tetracycline but resistant to erythromycin. By growth inhibition and immunofluorescent antibody tests, both strains were identified as Mycoplasma phocacerebrale, a mycoplasma isolated in an epidemic of seal disease occurring in the Baltic Sea. The patient's infection was treated successfully with tetracycline. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which a mycoplasma has been associated with seal finger.

An 86-year-old woman presented with marked blistering of her left index fingertip and ulceration of the left middle fingertip, with a 2-year history of recurrent blistering and ulceration of her fingers bilaterally. She denied any preceding finger trauma, although she reported frequent gardening. She denied systemic symptoms. Her medical history was significant for a 2-year history of atrial fibrillation on carvedilol, amiodarone and apixaban, and she was a lifetime non-smoker. On admission, she had elevated inflammatory markers but unremarkable autoantibodies. Radiograph of the hand revealed diffuse soft tissue fullness and subtle irregularities at the tuft of the index finger, but all other investigations were unremarkable. The lesion was incised and drained, revealing blood-tinged purulent fluid. Wound biopsy revealed spongiosis with neutrophils, consistent with a diagnosis of blistering distal dactylitis.

Paper is omnipresent on hospital units, but few studies have examined the possible role of paper in the spread of nosocomial pathogens. To determine by laboratory investigation how long bacterial pathogens can survive on office paper and whether bacteria can be transferred from hands to paper and back to hands in a \"worst-case scenario.\" Samples of four bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus hirae) were prepared according to standard laboratory procedures. Sterile swatches of office paper were inoculated with the pathogens and bacterial survival was tested over seven days. To test the transmission of bacteria from one person's hands to paper and back to another person's hands, the fingertips of volunteers were inoculated with a nonpathogenic strain of E. coli; these volunteers then pressed the inoculum onto sterile paper swatches. Another group of volunteers whose hands had been moistened pressed their fingertips onto the contaminated paper swatches. Bacteria transferred to the moistened fingertips were cultivated according to standard laboratory procedures. The four tested organisms showed differences in length of survival depending on environmental room conditions, but were stable on paper for up to 72 hours and still cultivable after seven days. Test organisms were transferred to paper, survived on it, and were retransferred back to hands. Paper can serve as a vehicle for cross-contamination of bacterial pathogens in medical settings if current recommendations on hand hygiene aren't meticulously followed.