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Tattoo-associated toxic shock syndrome: a case report
Takuya Kubo1, Tetsuya Yumoto2, Hideharu Hagiya3
1Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku Okayama, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
|October 1, 2025
Summary
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) can occur after tattooing, even without immunodeficiency. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery from this rare but serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Reports
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially fatal complication associated with tattooing.
- While uncommon, TSS cases highlight the importance of recognizing risks linked to skin-invasive procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of toxic shock syndrome following tattooing.
- To emphasize the clinical presentation and management of TSS in this context.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a 29-year-old male presenting with symptoms of TSS one week after receiving a tattoo.
- Clinical assessment, supportive care, and broad-spectrum antibiotic administration were employed.
- Diagnostic efforts to isolate a causative pathogen were unsuccessful.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with fever, gastrointestinal distress, hypotension, and multi-organ failure, meeting clinical criteria for TSS.
- Despite the inability to identify a specific pathogen, the patient showed a full recovery following treatment.
Conclusions:
- TSS is a possible complication of tattooing, irrespective of the patient's immune status.
- Prompt clinical diagnosis and early intervention are critical for favorable outcomes in suspected TSS cases, even when pathogens are not identified.
