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Mycobacterium chelonae infection: a complication of tattooing
A Sergeant1, P Conaglen, I F Laurenson
1Department of Dermatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. annsergeant@nhs.net
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|July 27, 2012
Summary
Mycobacterium chelonae caused a skin infection outbreak in four young patients after receiving grey tattoos. The bacteria were found in tattoo ink, highlighting a risk for new tattoos.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Tattooing is a common practice with potential risks.
- Mycobacterial infections can manifest in various ways.
Observation:
- Four immunocompetent young patients developed similar papular eruptions post-tattooing.
- Lesions were localized to newly colored light grey tattoo areas.
Findings:
- Histopathology revealed granulomatous inflammation and microabscesses associated with tattoo pigment.
- Mycobacterium chelonae was identified in patient skin cultures and light grey tattoo ink.
- The M. chelonae strain was sensitive to clarithromycin.
Implications:
- Dermatologists should suspect mycobacterial infection in new tattoo inflammatory reactions.
- Contaminated tattoo ink is a potential source of M. chelonae outbreaks.
- This case underscores the importance of sterile practices in tattooing.
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