American Podiatric Medical Association Spearheading the Efforts to Combat Mycobacterium fortuitum in Nail Salon Footbaths

Mycobacterium fortuitum is ubiquitous in our environment with recent outbreaks of this organism reported in the whirlpool footbaths found in nail salons. Due to the non-standardized protocols to sanitize these whirlpool footbaths in the nail salons, M. fortuitum have thrived in such optimal conditions offered in these footbaths, causing an immunocompromised host susceptible to a multitude of localized cutaneous infections. Delays in treating the infections may result in this rapidly growing mycobacteria to enter the bone, rendering the foot susceptible to an amputation. In order to overcome this epidemic, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) needs to spearhead the efforts to combat M. fortuitum in nail salons. This paper presents a step approach to how the APMA can develop an organization that sets the standards for nail salon sanitation, bring awareness to the public, increase hygienic standards for all nail salons and help rid the problem of cutaneous infections caused by M. fortuitum in unsanitary nail salon footbaths.