Mycobacterium abscessus infection complicating a professional tattoo

Abstract

A healthy 23-year-old man presented with a tender papular eruption confined to the grey pigment of a recently acquired professional tattoo. Atypical mycobacterial infection was suspected and culture of a tissue specimen grew Mycobacterium abscessus. He was successfully treated with minocycline and subsequently, clarithromycin. We present a brief review of M. abscessus infection, with a particular focus on its role in nosocomial infections and in the post-tattoo setting.

Outbreak ofMycobacterium chelonaeInfection Associated with Tattoo Ink

“…S ince 2003, a growing number of published case reports have linked tattooing with localized infections due to atypical mycobacteria. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Mycobacterium chelonae is a rapidly growing form of nontuberculous mycobacteria; overall, it is an uncommon cause of cutaneous infections. 14 We describe an investigation of an outbreak involving 19 persons with presumed M. chelonae infection after receiving a tattoo from a single artist who used a premixed ink that was contaminated before distribution.…”

Atypical mycobacterial infection mimicking metastatic cholangiocarcinoma

“…In immunocompetent hosts typically after trauma M. abcessus predominantly causes soft tissue infections [8]. Another pattern is that of chronic respiratory disease with fibrosis.…”

“…Another pattern is that of chronic respiratory disease with fibrosis. Systemic immunosuppression can predispose to disseminated disease [8]. …”

Mycobacterium chelonaeinfection: a complication of tattooing

“…Diagnosis of mycobacterial infections of the skin seems to be on the increase, and other reports of infection in tattoos have involved Mycobactericum abscessus , 7 Mycobactericum immunogenum 8 and Mycobactericum haemophilum 9,10 …”

“…6 Spontaneous healing of M. chelonae infection in tattoos, without antibiotic treatment, has been described. 1,4 Diagnosis of mycobacterial infections of the skin seems to be on the increase, and other reports of infection in tattoos have involved Mycobactericum abscessus, 7 Mycobactericum immunogenum 8 and Mycobactericum haemophilum. 9,10 Increased regulation of tattoo practices came into force in Scotland in 2006.…”