An outburst of bacterial infection with Mycobacterium cholenae was noted in people undergoing tattoos in the United States. Nowadays, tattoo practice is gaining popularity worldwide. Earlier, it was confined to few ethnic groups and regional communities but recently, it has become a fashion statement.
However, numerous health hazards are associated with tattoo practice like transmission of an infectious agent, Mycobacterium chelonae.
Tattoos - A Body Art
Tattoos are a rage among college students who sport it for the ‘cool dude’ or ‘cool babe’ look
Tattoos are a rage among college students who sport it for the ‘cool dude’ or ‘cool babe’ look
Byron Kennedy MD, PhD, of the Monroe County Department of Public Health in Rochester, and colleagues, stated that the culprit was ‘a sealed batch of supposedly sterile premixed ink, direct from the manufacturer.’
Kennedy and his colleagues conducted a study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Nineteen people were included in the study who developed a persistent, raised, erythematous rash in the skin above the tattoo within 3 weeks of the tattoo in the last 4 months of 2011.
Contaminated Tattoo Ink Linked to Skin Infection Outbreak in US
Health experts looking into the outbreak of skin infections in four American states last fall revealed that contaminated tattoo ink was the culprit.
Health experts looking into the outbreak of skin infections in four American states last fall revealed that contaminated tattoo ink was the culprit.
The scientists observed that the condition of 18 patients out of the nineteen improved with antibiotic treatment.
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Tattoos: New Source of Bacterial Infection?
A study suggests that if you end up with a rash on a new tattoo, don't brush it off as an allergic reaction or a normal part of the healing process.
A study suggests that if you end up with a rash on a new tattoo, don't brush it off as an allergic reaction or a normal part of the healing process.
Three confirmed and 24 possible cases of Mycobacterium abscessus infection, and two confirmed and two possible cases of M. chelonae infection, in separate clusters in Washington state.
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Optimizing Outcomes of Laser Tattoo Removal Techniques
Although laser has been successfully used in removing a tattoo, it does not ensure complete results. It is imperative for the practitioners to make the patients familiar with the laser tattoo removal.
Although laser has been successfully used in removing a tattoo, it does not ensure complete results. It is imperative for the practitioners to make the patients familiar with the laser tattoo removal.
The CDC report said that the M. chelonae were dissimilar to those found in New York. This shows that different inks were used for tattooing.
Kennedy and colleagues noted that the Rochester outbreak was strange for two important reasons:
Firstly, “M. chelonae, a rapidly growing form of nontuberculous mycobacteria, is an "uncommon" cause of skin infections..….. The pathogen has also only rarely been associated with tattoo-related infections.”
And secondly, “most cases of tattoo-related infection arise from unsanitary practices in the tattoo establishment, rather than premixed packages of ink.”
According to the researchers, the study findings highlighted an important fact that there is a possibility of underestimation of nontuberculous myobacterial infections with rising popularity of tattoo practice.
It has been suggested that tattoo parlors should take adequate safety measures regarding using sterile instruments, disposable and clean gloves, single-use containers and personal hygiene. The ink for tattooing should be used in sterile disposable containers.
Pamela LeBlanc, MPH, and her colleagues at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in College Park, Md., mentioned that the case has "raised questions about the adequacy of prevention efforts implemented at the tattoo-parlor level alone."
Pamela LeBlanc et al wrote, “The agency is currently trying to define what measures should be taken to improve public health in regard to tattoos.”
Reference:
Outbreak of Mycobacterium chelonae Infection Associated with Tattoo Ink; Byron Kennedy et al; N Engl J Med 2012; 367:1020-1024
Source-Medindia
