A California toddler became sick with a bacterial infection after being bitten by an iguana while on vacation. 

The young American girl was enjoying cake while relaxing on a beach in Costa Rica in 2022 when the iguana rushed up and bit the back of her left hand before stealing the slice of cake. Her hand swelled, and her parents hurried her to the nearest clinic.

Her middle finger’s superficial cut was cleaned, and she was given five days of antibiotics in case she had been exposed to salmonella. The medication helped the wound heal rapidly and painlessly. However, five months later, her parents saw a little bump that grew larger on the back of her left hand. Over the following three months, the skin became red and hurt slightly.

An ultrasound of the toddler’s hand revealed a growth beneath the skin that resembled a ganglion cyst, a lump packed with fluid. The location and symptoms, however, did not support this diagnosis. The surgeon discovered pus flowing from the incision while removing the lump, indicating an infection. Upon additional testing, doctors found she had an infection called Mycobacterium marinum. Fish can get a condition similar to tuberculosis from this organism. 

Since the bacteria can be present in water, it has been known to spread to people when skin sores are exposed to fresh or salt water that contain the organism. Common medications, such as amoxicillin, are ineffective against it. The child was placed on the medicines rifampin and clarithromycin and she reacted well to the treatment.