
Alaska hunter’s bear-linked infection redefines seal finger diagnosis
A 29-year-old Alaska hunter developed a severe finger infection after skinning a brown bear. Weeks of inconclusive tests culminated in DNA sequencing identifying Mycoplasma phocimorsus as the seal finger pathogen, marking the first brown-bear–associated case. The bacterium is hard to culture and may resist standard antibiotics, requiring targeted treatment such as doxycycline. The patient recovered after surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotics; health officials advise wearing protective gloves when handling marine-environment game and pursuing prompt treatment for suspicious infections.










