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How Common Is It For A Tattoo To Get Infected

  • Journal Listing
  • Dtsch Arztebl Int
  • v.113(twoscore); 2016 October
  • PMC5290255

Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016 October; 113(twoscore): 665–671.

Original Article

The Adventure of Bacterial Infection After Tattooing

A Systematic Review of the Literature

Ralf Dieckmann, Dr. rer. nat.,1 Ides Boone, Ph. D.,1 Stefan O. Brockmann, ,2 Jens A. Hammerl, Dr. rer. nat.,i Annette Kolb-Mäurer, Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat.,3 Matthias Goebeler, Prof. Dr. med.,3 Andreas Luch, Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. med. habil.,4 and Sascha Al Dahouk, Prof. Dr. med., M.Sc.1, 5, *

Ralf Dieckmann

iGerman language Federal Institute for Risk Cess (BfR), Department of Biological Safety, Berlin

Ides Boone

1German Federal Institute for Chance Assessment (BfR), Department of Biological Safety, Berlin

Stefan O. Brockmann

2Regional Public Health Function, Department for Infection Control, Reutlingen

Jens A. Hammerl

1German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Biological Safety, Berlin

Annette Kolb-Mäurer

3University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Würzburg:

Matthias Goebeler

3University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Würzburg:

Andreas Luch

4German Federal Plant for Hazard Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Condom, Berlin

Sascha Al Dahouk

1German language Federal Found for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Biological Safety, Berlin

5RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Clinic for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Internal Intensive Medicine (Medical Clinic 3), Aachen

Received 2015 Dec ii; Accepted 2016 Jun viii.

Abstract

Background

Tattooing is a globally growing trend. Overall prevalence among adults in industrialized countries is around x–20%. Given the loftier and increasing numbers of tattooed people worldwide, medical and public health implications emerging from tattooing trends require greater attention not only by the public, but also by medical professionals and wellness policy makers.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the literature on tattoo-associated bacterial infections and bacterial contamination of tattoo inks. Furthermore, nosotros surveyed tattoo inks sampled during an international tattoo convention in Germany to study their microbial status.

Results

Our systematic review identified 67 cases published between 1984 and 2015, mainly documenting serious bacterial infectious complications afterward intradermal deposition of tattoo inks. Both local pare infections (due east.thousand. abscesses, necrotizing fasciitis) and systemic infections (e.chiliad. endocarditis, septic shock) were reported. Published bacteriological surveys showed that opened too equally unopened tattoo ink bottles frequently contained clinically relevant levels of bacteria indicating that the manufactured tattoo product itself may be a source of infection. In our bacteriological survey, ii of 39 colorants were contaminated with aerobic mesophilic bacteria.

Conclusions

Inappropriate hygiene measures in tattoo parlors and not-medical wound care are major risk factors for tattoo-related infections. In add-on, facultative pathogenic bacterial species tin can be isolated from tattoo inks in utilize, which may pose a serious health risk.

Body modifications including tattoos are a globally growing trend. According to recent surveys the overall prevalence of tattoos amongst adults in industrialized countries is around 10–20% (1). Since there are currently no public wellness reporting requirements for infectious complications associated with tattooing, the actual incidence and prevalence of infections post-obit tattooing remain largely unknown in many countries, which is why scientifically sound risk quantification is not possible.

In compliance with the International Classification of Procedures in Medicine (ICPM) tattooing represents a surgical procedure with its own Operations and Procedures (OPS) lawmaking number (5–890.0; encounter OPS version 2015). However, tattooing is well-nigh never performed by medical doctors and can therefore not exist epidemiologically monitored by utilise of medical databases.

A specific diagnosis lawmaking for diseases following non-medically indicated cosmetic surgery was introduced in Germany in 2008. However, this comprises diverse procedures such equally a range of aesthetic operations, along with tattoos and piercings. Since at that place is currently no ICD (International Nomenclature of Diseases) lawmaking that would explicitly and specifically associate infectious diseases with the procedure of tattooing, it proved impossible to derive a reliable estimate of infection rates from data collected past German language health insurance companies. Based on published surveys, between 0.5% and 6% of the people with a tattoo experienced infectious complications later on being tattooed (2– 6).

Considering the increasing numbers of tattooed people, tattooing may thus represent a significant public health risk (vii, viii). Therefore, physicians should be aware of atypical clinical presentations of tattoo-related infections that may lead to rare merely astringent adverse outcomes. Tattooing results in traumatization of the skin that may facilitate microbial pathogens to pass the epidermal bulwark causing local peel infections. In about cases such mild-to-moderate superficial skin infections remain unreported since they are cocky-limiting or easily treated with proper aftercare, local disinfection measures and/or antibiotic therapy. However, equally tattoo needles punch through the epidermis, thereby coming into contact with claret and lymph vessels in the dermal layer, bacteria may crusade systemic infections by inbound the claret stream. The severity of infection depends on the virulence of the pathogen, the immune status of the person existence tattooed and underlying diseases.

To assess hazards and disease outcomes related to bacterial infections as a consequence of tattooing, a systematic review of the literature and bacteriological investigation of inks was performed.

Methods

Literature survey

We conducted an electronic literature search in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, EMBASE and Google Scholar for eligible studies addressing

  • bacterial infections, non related to mycobacteria, associated with a recent tattoo, and

  • tattoo inks contaminated with bacteria other than mycobacteria.

A flow chart of the selection procedure is presented in the Figure

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.  Object name is Dtsch_Arztebl_Int-113-0665_001.jpg

Literature search: Clinical studies likewise every bit case reports on bacterial infections following tattooing and microbiological studies on the bacterial contamination of tattoo ink were included.

eBox 1 for a detailed description of the methodology).

eBOX 1

Literature survey

An electronic literature search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, EMBASE and Google Scholar for eligible studies addressing

  • bacterial infections associated with a contempo tattoo, and

  • tattoo inks contaminated with leaner other than mycobacteria.

Mycobacterial infections were excluded from the search. Search terms used were "tattoo*" combined with "bacteria", "bacterial" or "microbial".

Searches were performed on all records bachelor upwardly to February 11, 2016 without language restrictions taking into business relationship the PRISMA guidelines (e15). No review protocol was used. In addition, we manus-searched bibliography lists of selected full papers for potentially missed manufactures and added them to our database. Duplicate records were discarded. Titles and abstracts of all records in our database were screened to ensure the selection criteria have been met. Records on mycobacteria, non-bacterial infections, not-infectious cases associated with tattoos or non-clinical studies were excluded.

Two scientists independently screened and evaluated the references. Information was extracted on patient demographics, incubation period, clinical diagnoses and outcomes, bacterial pathogens identified, and likely crusade of infection or transmission route. Relevant data were used to carry out bones statistical analyses.

The quality of the records was non assessed because most of the identified studies were case reports. Generally, case reports and case series provide weak bear witness of causality, but incorporate useful information regarding, eastward.g., rare manifestations or unexpected risks, and therefore allow to generate hypotheses (e16). Consequently, our study should be considered as exploratory.

Our review might be somewhat biased equally astringent hospitalized cases were predominantly described in the literature, near cases were reported from a few geographic regions (primarily N America and Europe), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA) cases were more often than not reported in publications from the United States. Although no language restriction was used, cases from the so-called grayness literature or published in non-English linguistic communication might have been missed.

Microbiological analysis

A full of 39 samples of tattoo inks originating from opened vials that were randomly collected by local health inspectors during the 10th International Tattoo Convention in Reutlingen, Frg, were analyzed. Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (i.eastward., aerobic bacteria that grow best at moderate temperatures) were performed in accord with validated guidelines for the microbiological analysis of cosmetic products (EN ISO 21149:2009), as was the detection of specified and not-specified microorganisms including Escherichia (E.) coli, Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (EN ISO 18415:2011). Isolates from contaminated samples were sub-cultured for further identification by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) and 16S rRNA cistron sequencing.

Results

Tattoo-related infections

Our initial literature search yielded 1379 records, of which 1345 were excluded, mainly considering they described non-infectious cases, non-bacterial infections, non-clinical studies or were summary reports of already considered cases (Figure). 2 systematic reviews of tattoo-associated skin infections acquired past non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were published quite recently (9, x). Since our survey revealed merely 4 additional reports describing six new cases (e1– e4), mycobacterial infections were excluded from our data assay and interpretation because of a lack of novelty.

We identified 67 cases of non-mycobacterial infections reported in 27 publications published between 1984 and 2015 (xi– 37), mainly documenting serious bacterial infectious complications after intradermal deposition of tattoo inks (Table one, eTable). Since the CDC case series (sixteen) presented just aggregated data, those 34 cases were omitted from the statistical analysis and discussed separately. Virtually patients were male (75%). The mean historic period was 28 years (range: 0–48 years). Most cases were reported from the The states (n=12), Europe (n=11) and New Zealand (n=v). The number of reports increased over fourth dimension and nine out of eleven cases from Europe and 10 out of 13 cases from North America were published between 2011 and 2015, which might indicate an increased awareness. South. aureus was reported as an etiological agent in 81% of the cases. Long-term antibiotic therapy with a mean duration of half dozen weeks (range 1–15 weeks) was the handling of option in 21 reports, which provided this blazon of information. Two patients died due to complications related to their infections (11, 15).

Table i

Local skin infections, systemic complications and etiological agents extracted from reported cases of tattoo-related, non-mycobacterial infections*

Local skin infections (reference) Leaner isolated from wound swab or abscess drainage (reference)
  • abscesses

  • (12, 16, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 34)

  • cutaneous diphtheria (23, 24)

  • erythema (18, 20, 35– 37)

  • necrotizing fasciitis or tissue necrosis (12, 15, 21, 22)

  • pustules or papules (13, 16, 35, 36)

  • staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (37)

  • cellulitis (12, xv, 16, 17, 21– 24, 26)

  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae (23, 24)

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa (36)

  • Serratia marcescens (34)

  • Staphylococcus aureus (23, 24, 29, 37)

  • MSSA (22, xxx)

  • MRSA (17, 22, 25)

  • Streptococcus pyogenes (22)

Systemic complications
(reference)
Bacteria isolated from claret, tissue,
wound swab and/or abscess drainage
(reference)
  • abdominal compartment syndrome (15)

  • bacteremia (16)

  • endocarditis (14, 18, nineteen, 28, 32)

  • iliopsoas abscess (31)

  • necrotizing pneumonia (33)

  • toxic shock syndrome (35)

  • septicemia (11, 12, 27, 29, 32)

  • septic stupor and multiple organ failure (15, 21)

  • spinal epidural abscess (thirteen)

  • tropical pyomyositis (26)

  • xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (20)

  • Bacteroides fragilis (12)

  • Corynebacterium spp. (15)

  • Haemophilus influenzae (29)

  • Klebsiella oxytoca (12, 15)

  • Moraxella lacunata (19)

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa (xi, 12, 15, 21)

  • Staphylococcus aureus (14, fifteen, 21, 26)

  • MSSA (12, 13, 27, 28, 32, 35)

  • MRSA (16, 20, 31, 33)

  • Staphylococcus lugdunensis (xviii)

  • Streptococcus pyogenes (12, 15, 21)

  • Streptococcus spp. (group A) (27)

  • Streptococcus spp. (group C) (21)

*run across the eTable for more detailed information; MSSA, methicillin-sensitive S. aureus; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Southward. aureus

eTable

Reported cases of tattoo-related, non-mycobacterial infections

Manifestations at
primary infection site
(tattoo)
Secondary infection
complications,
(concomitant
pre-existing
atmospheric condition
supporting bacterial
infections)
Number of cases*,
patient's state of
origin
Age (years),
sex (chiliad/f)
Organisms
identified (Source)
Incubation
period (days)
Likely cause
of infection,
transmission
route
Effect Reference
Local skin infections
Peel and soft
tissue infection
1, United States of
America
45, k MRSA
(WS)
NA Improper sanitary
conditions: sharing
needles and tattoo
paraphernalia at a
correctional facility
NA Stemper et al.
(2006) (17)
Abscess 3, Us of
America
eighteen, f MRSA
(WS, abscess
drainage)
NA Unhygienic
conditions
Fully recovered afterwards
8 weeks
Coulson (2012)
(22)
Abscess, tissue
necrosis
(drug detoxification) 22, f MRSA
(WS, abscess
drainage)
NA NA Fully recovered after
half-dozen weeks
Multiple abscesses,
cellulitis
37, m MSSA, South. pyogenes
(WS, abscess
drainage)
7 Potential ink
contamination
Hospitalization,
fully recovered after
four weeks
Cutaneous diphtheria,
cellulitis
ane, New Zealand Adult, yard Toxigenic
Corynebacterium
diphtheriae var.
gravis,
South. aureus (WS)
inside days Traditional Samoan
tattooing
Hospitalization,
fully recovered within
1 calendar week
Sears et al.
(2012) (23),
McGouran et al.
(2012) (24)
Abscess i, Germany 31, g MRSA
(WS, abscess
drainage)
NA NA NA Wollina
(2012) (25)
Abscesses 4, French republic 29–43, m MSSA (WS) <21 Tattooing or body
shaving with
mechanical razors
NA Bourigault et al.
(2014) (30)
Abscess ane, Spain 32, m Due south. marcescens
(WS, abscess
drainage)
xxx NA Hospitalization,
fully recovered after
15 weeks
Diranzo-Garcia et al.
(2015) (34)
Erythema, pustules i, Italy 31, f P. aeruginosa
(WS)
2 Possible use of
non-sterile tattooing
technique or
contamination of the ink
Recovery subsequently
2 weeks
Maloberti et al.
(2015) (36)
Erythema Lyell'south syndrome
(staphylococcal
scalded skin syndrome;
SSSS)
1, Denmark 48, m Due south. aureus (WS) NA Home kit tattoo ink imported via the
cyberspace, probable
phototoxic reaction to the ink followed by a suspension in the skin barrier due to itching resulting in bacterial infection
Hospitalization, recovery later 1 week
(followed by a six months treatment against
allergic contact
dermatitis reaction)
Mikkelsen et al.
(2015) (37)
Systemic complications
Purulent wound
infection
Septicemia 1, Nigeria Newborn, NA P. aeruginosa
(BC, WS, pus)
1 Tribal tattooing under
unhygienic weather
Hospitalization,
death
Mathur and Sahoo
(1984) (11)
Cellulitis and
fasciitis, subcutaneous
abscess
Polymicrobial
septicemia
i, Australia 25, chiliad P. aeruginosa,
Due south. pyogenes (BC, WS),
K. oxytoca,
MSSA (WS),
Bacteroides fragilis
(abscess drainage)
seven Traditional Samoan
tattooing under
unhygienic weather condition
Hospitalization,
fully recovered after
9 weeks
Korman et al.
(1997) (12)
Pustular lesions Acute spinal epidural
abscess with lower limb
weakness
1, United States of
America
25, f MSSA
(WS, abscess
drainage)
seven NA Hospitalization,
fully recovered later
8 weeks
Chowfin et al.
(1999) (thirteen)
Endocarditis
(bicuspid aortic valve)
1, United Kingdom 28, m S. aureus
(BC, explanted aortic
valve)
7 NA Hospitalization,
fully recovered afterward
xvi weeks
Satchithananda et al.
(2001) (xiv)
Cellulitis Septic shock 2, New Zealand 45, m S. aureus,
S. pyogenes,
P. aeruginosa (WS)
2 Traditional Samoan
tattooing under
unhygienic conditions
Hospitalization,
fully recovered after
iv weeks
Porter et al.
(2005) (15)
Necrotizing
fasciitis
Septic shock,
abdominal
compartment
syndrome,
acute centre failure
29, k S. pyogenes,
S. aureus (WS),
Corynebacterium spp.,
K. oxytoca
(soft tissue
debridement)
2 Traditional Samoan
tattooing, utilise of
non-sterile equipment,
highly contaminated ink
and yellow paint
(aerobic spore-forming
bacilli)
Hospitalization, expiry
Cellulitis, pustules,
abscesses
Bacteremia
(4/34 cases)
(no underlying diseases
except for one patient
with hepatitis C)
34, United States of
America
15–42, 73% k MRSA
(WS)
iv–22 Employ of not-sterile equipment and suboptimal
infection-command
practices (unlicensed tattooists)
Hospitalization
(4/34 cases)
CDC
(2006) (16)
Local skin infection Endocarditis
(bicuspid aortic valve)
one, Britain 44, chiliad S. lugdunensis
(BC)
NA NA Hospitalization,
full recovery
Tse et al.
(2009) (18)
Erythema Xanthogranulomatous
pyelonephritis
1, United states of America 16, m MRSA
(renal tissue)
<21 Unsterile
tattooing
Hospitalization,
fully recovered after
4 weeks
Chalmers et al. (2010) (20)
Endocarditis i, Argentina 34, f Moraxella lacunata
(BC)
four NA Hospitalization, fully recovered afterward
eight weeks
Callejo et al.
(2010) (19)
Extensive cellulitis Septic shock leading to
acute renal failure
2, New Zealand 23, 1000 South. aureus and group C
streptococci (WS)
3 Traditional Samoan
tattooing under
unhygienic conditions
Hospitalization, full recovery after
6 weeks but ongoing wound direction
required
McLean and D'Souza
(2011) (21)
Severe cellulitis,
necrotizing fasciitis
Septic shock leading to
multi-organ failure
25, k S. pyogenes,
P. aeruginosa (WS)
two Traditional Samoan
tattooing nether
unhygienic weather condition
Hospitalization, full recovery after
6 weeks but ongoing wound management
required
Deep pare infection,
multiple abscesses
Sepsis 1, Usa of
America
46, one thousand Group A streptococci
and MSSA (BC)
<v Traditional Samoan
tattooing
Hospitalization, fully
recovered later
half-dozen weeks
Elegino-Steffens et al.
(2013) (27)
Tropical pyomyositis one, Cuba 19, f S. aureus
(WS)
xv Not-professional tattooing nether
unhygienic conditions
Consummate recovery
after iv weeks
Báez Sarría et al.
(2013) (26)
Superficial skin
infection
Iliopsoas abscess 2, U.s.a. of
America
Adult, m MRSA NA Sharing the same ink and equipment with his wife Hospitalization Gulati et al.
(2014) (31)
Iliopsoas abscess
(intravenous drug
abuse, hepatitis C)
48, f MRSA
(BC)
NA Non-professional person
home-made tattoo under unhygienic
conditions or potential ink contamination
Hospitalization,
fully recovered
Endocarditis
(myxoid degeneration of the mitral valve),
septic emboli (knee, brain, lung)
1, The states of
America
23, m MSSA
(BC)
ane–2 NA Hospitalization,
fully recovered after
half-dozen weeks
Akkus et al.
(2014) (28)
Abscess Peripheral septic
thrombophlebitis;
necrotizing pneumonia (intravenous drug
abuse in medical
history)
1, United states of
America
28, yard MRSA
(WS, abscess drainage, BC, sputum)
7 NA Hospitalization, fully recovered afterwards
six weeks
Rabbani and Sharma(2014)
(33)
Sepsis, septic emboli (musculus and joints) 1, United States of
America
18, grand Haemophilus
influenzae (BC)
14 NA Hospitalization,
fully recovered subsequently
2 weeks
Kaldas et al.
(2014) (29)
Sepsis, endocarditis, pulmonary emboli
(open valvotomy for congenital aortic stenosis at the age of xviii months followed by Ross procedure)
i, United Kingdom twenty, m MSSA (BC, excised
pulmonary homograft tissue)
28 Tattooing under
unhygienic weather
Hospitalization, recovered afterwards
viii weeks
Orton et al.
(2014) (32)
Erythematous rash and
multiple papules
Toxic shock
syndrome
1, South korea 26, m MSSA
(WS)
three NA Hospitalization,
fully recovered after
ii–3 weeks
Jeong et al.
(2015) (35)

Bacteriological contamination of tattoo inks

Since simply seven reports on contaminated tattoo inks have been published so far (Table 2) we officially collected 39 tattoo inks in use during an international tattoo convention in Germany, 2014, and determined their microbial status to specify the risk of infection associated with the subepidermal application of ink deposits. A full of nineteen inks (49%) were claimed to be sterile/sterilized on the label. Fifteen (38%) contained benzisothiazolinone as a preservative, iii additionally contained methylisothiazolinone and phenoxyethanol. Twenty-iii products used alcohol as a solvent, in most cases isopropyl alcohol. Among the 39 colorants investigated, two (5%) were contaminated with aerobic mesophilic bacteria (˜107 leaner per gram of ink). Both products were free of preservatives. In one sample various Pseudomonas species (P. pseudoalcaligenes, P. stutzeri, P. fluorescens group) and Delftia spp. (D. lacustris/tsuruhatensis group) were detected. The other sample was contaminated with P. aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens/Rhizobium sp. and bacteria belonging to the Staphylococcus warneri/pasteuri group. The bacterial genera identified were largely in line with those described in the literature (Table 2).

Tabular array two

Bacterial contamination of tattoo inks

Reference Full number
of tested inks
(opened/
unopened)
Number (percentage)
of contaminated
samples
Bacterial load [cfu/g]
(samples)
Organisms identified
Total Opened,
Unopened
Reus and
van Buuren (2001)
(e5)
63 (32/31) 11 (eighteen) 8(25),
3 (10)
xiv–ten5 (1), > xfive (7)
10ii –tenfour (iii)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, P. fluorescens
Charnock (2004)
(e6)
12 (10/2) 7 (58) half dozen (sixty),
1 (l)
x2–103 (2), 10six–ten9 (4)
102 –10iii (i)
Gram-positive, aerobic rods, Citrobacter freundii,
Achromobacter xylosoxidans, A. denitrificans,
Corynebacterium sp., Brevundimonas diminuta, P. aeruginosa,
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Leuconostoc spp.,
Methylobacterium mesophilicum
Droß and
Mildau (2007) (e7)
245
(mainly opened)
26 (11) 102–107 (26) Pseudomonas spp., Citrobacter spp., aerobic spore-forming bacteria, Ralstonia pickettii, coliform bacteria
Baumgartner and
Gautsch (2011) (e8)
145 (106/39) 41 (28) 27 (26),
14 (36)
< 10ane (5), 101–10three (18),
103–10eight (4)
< 101 (7), 10one –103 (7)
Enterococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp.,
Brevundimonas vesicularis, P. fluorescens, S. maltophilia,
Bacillus spp., Geobacillus spp., Paenibacillus spp.,
Virgibacillus pantothenticus, Brevibacillus laterosporus
Kluger et al. (2011)
(e9)
16 (16/0) 0 (0)
Høgsberg et al.
(2013) (e10)
64 (6/58) vii (11) i  (17),
half dozen (10)
10ii (1)
102 –x3 (6)
Streptococcus spp., Acinetobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Aeromonas sobria, Acidovorax, Pseudomonas sp., Dietzia maris, Blastomonas sp., Enterococcus faecium
Bonadonna et al.
(2014) (e11)
34 (27/7) 29 (85) 23 (85),
half dozen (86)
< 101 (11), ten1–103 (12)
< 10ane (4), < 102 (2)
Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacter intermedius,
Cronobacter sakazakii, Sphingomonas paucimobilis

cfu, colony forming unit

Discussion

Infectious complications from tattoos include superficial infections such every bit impetigo, deep bacterial pare infections presenting equally erysipelas or cellulitis and systemic infections which may lead, in very rare cases, to life-threatening complications due to endocarditis, septic shock, and multi-organ failure (38). Acute pyogenic skin infections or bacteremia usually occur within a few days after placement of the tattoo and predominantly involve methicillin-resistant Due south. aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive Due south. aureus (MSSA), Streptococcus spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) skin infections

In recent years, a considerable number of reports describing cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections following tattooings have been published (9, ten). Conaglen et al. identified a total of 25 reports describing 71 confirmed and 71 likely tattoo-related infections with NTM such equally Yard. chelonae, Thou. haemophilum, and M. abscessus (10). NTM infections typically occurred in healthy individuals inside weeks to months after tattooing and manifested as localized cutaneous infections presenting as papules, pustules and nodules at the site of the tattoo. Often, lesions were restricted to a single colored part of the tattoo. The nigh frequently postulated route of transmission was the dilution of tattoo ink with non-sterile h2o. With several months of antibiotic handling (either clarithromycin alone or in combination with quinolones) outcomes of these long-lasting infections tended to exist good.

Other bacterial infectious complications

Seven cases followed traditional Samoan tattooing in previously healthy, young men from New Zealand, Commonwealth of australia and the USA (12, xv, 21, 23, 24, 27). Typically, patients initially developed erysipelas, multiple subcutaneous abscesses and necrotizing soft tissue infections localized in the tattooed pare expanse which led to severe polymicrobial septicemia, septic shock and life-threatening organ failure. In ane of these cases, cutaneous diphtheria caused by a toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae (var. gravis) has been reported (23, 24). Nonetheless, information technology could well exist that Due south. aureus was the primary pathogen in this case.

1 patient died of acute heart failure as a consequence of septic shock following a ritual Samoan tattooing (xv). In this case, the used ink and a natural yellowish paint (turmeric) showed high contamination with Gram-positive bacteria. Most patients recovered only required prolonged hospitalization with intravenous antibiotic treatment. Inadequate cleaning and sterilization of tattoo equipment also as inappropriate infection command measures and the more invasive procedures were supposed to be the main chance factors of traditional tattooing.

The Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC) have documented a serial of 34 cases of MRSA infections amongst recipients of tattoos from thirteen unlicensed tattooists in the USA in 2004–2005 (16). The majority of patients were white males without underlying diseases or chance factors. Most infections were mild to moderate (erysipelas, bacterial pustules, and abscesses) and wound healing could be improved with surgical drainage and/or oral antibiotics. Four patients developed bacteremia and required hospitalization for intravenous vancomycin treatment. Suboptimal infection control procedures of unlicensed tattooists were identified as the major risk factor.

Like outcomes and gamble factors for three cases of tattoo-associated S. aureus infections were described in a contempo report (22). In at least one of the cases ink contamination may have caused the infection, since the distribution of the infectious lesions was linked to a single color. Two outbreaks of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL)-positive MSSA skin and soft tissue infections at a correctional facility in the USA and in a prison in French republic take been attributed to unhygienic tattooing conditions (17, xxx).

Rare complications of tattoo-related infections caused by Southward. aureus are the toxic stupor syndrome (TSS) caused by toxigenic strains of S. aureus (35) and the staphylococcal scalded pare syndrome (SSSS) (37).

5 cases of presumably tattoo-related infective endocarditis were plant in the literature. Prior center disease was noticed equally a risk factor in four of them. Etiologic agents were human commensals such as Southward. aureus (fourteen, 28), S. lugdunensis (xviii), and Moraxella lacunata (19). Typically, symptoms started inside a week after tattoo placement with recurring episodes of high fever and dyspnea.

Tattoos are more often than not accustomed to be an initial entrance door for leaner into the human body, but the clinical pictures of possible tattoo-related infectious diseases can be more heterogeneous and the etiologic agents more diverse than actually expected (Table 1, eTable).

Contamination of tattoo inks as a potential source of infection

Although almost licensed tattoo parlors accept implemented hygiene measures, bacterial infections emerge. Inappropriate infection control is often blamed to be responsible for tattoo-related infections. Pathogens may originate from surfaces in the tattoo studio environment and from inadequately sterilized instruments or other equipment, or from the commensal or transient skin flora of the tattooed person and the tattooist akin. Tattoo wounds may also become infected during the healing process due to inadequate wound intendance or personal hygiene. In add-on, the applied colorant itself might take gotten extrinsically contaminated during usage or intrinsically during production. Published bacteriological surveys (e5– e11) bear witness that opened (used) as well as unopened (unused) tattoo ink bottles frequently contain considerable numbers of bacteria indicating that the manufactured tattoo product itself may exist a risk factor in tattoo-related infections (Table ii). Contamination rates beyond 10% are not unusual for tattoo inks. In general, lower bacterial counts of bacilli or other spore-forming leaner are found in unopened ink containers (102–103 colony forming units per gram ink [cfu/1000]), whereas high bacterial loads are common for opened bottles (103–109 cfu/yard). From opened bottles, Gram-negative aerobic bacteria such as P. aeruginosa were isolated in high numbers (e6). These ubiquitous germs (?) are able to colonize nearly all environments including soil, tap and marine waters, as well as the homo peel. Yet Gram-positive leaner such as Staphylococcus spp. that are function of the commensal flora of the human pare can also be found in opened every bit well as unopened bottles (e8). Most of the bacterial contaminants were non highly virulent though, just instead opportunistic pathogens (e5– e11).

Many of the bacterial genera that take been associated with tattoo-related infections are in accord with those found in bacteriological surveys of opened tattoo ink bottles (see Tables 1 and 2, eTable). Bottling of ink solutions from stock bottles to smaller not-sterile cups recurrently contaminated during the placement of a tattoo represents only one but certainly a highly likely source of contagion, in particular, when the pinnacle of the stock canteen repeatedly gets into contact with the cup. Another common source is the mixing of colors and dilution of inks by the tattoo creative person nether non-sterile weather or with non-sterile diluents (e.g., tap water or "distilled", only non germ-gratuitous h2o). As a consequence, bacteria may readily achieve infective doses (>10three to 108 cfu/g, see Table 2) in tattoo products, especially when they are inadequately preserved (e6, e8, e10). Hence, tattoo inks may be underrated equally a potential source of bacterial infection and harmonized legal requirements for tattooing services as well as mandatory quality measures are needed not only for tattoo parlors but besides for producers of tattoo inks (come across eBox 2 on regulatory aspects).

eBOX 2

Regulatory aspects

Because there are currently no harmonized legal requirements for tattooing services, qualification standards of tattoo artists regarding hygiene, infection control and prevention greatly vary (2). More often than not tattoo inks are regarded as cosmetic products and the colorants and ingredients do not require explicit governmental blessing prior to deposition into the skin (two).

The composition of tattoo inks is highly variable and ofttimes unknown. Since manufacturers usually refuse to disembalm the individual ingredients of their ink formulas, these may incorporate numerous chancy compounds including inorganic metal salts and additives originating from plants or animals, the latter of which may be sources of bacterial contagion. However, companies producing and distributing tattoo inks have the legal responsibleness to ensure the safety of their products, but legislative bodies do non provide specifications for product sterility requirements and do not set specific standards for sterilization measures, sterility testing or preservation.

Some manufacturers merits their inks to be "sterilized" on the label, just they are not obliged to study their sterility testing results to the legal authorities.

In 2003 and 2008, two resolutions accept been published by the Council of Europe regarding the safe of tattooing, which recommended sterility of products used for tattooing and permanent make-up (PMU) (e12, e13). All the same, they are not legally binding to European fellow member states and even differ in their recommendations about preservation and container usage.

While ResAP(2003)2 suggests that tattoo and PMU products may just be permitted if they are sterile and supplied in single-use containers which maintain sterility until application in the absence of chemical preservatives, ResAP(2008)1 states that such preservatives (eastward.1000., isothiazolinones or formaldehyde) should be used to ensure preservation of the product subsequently opening. Farther, according to the newer resolution multi-utilise containers could be used if their pattern ensures that the contents will not be contaminated during the lifetime of the bottle.

In 2014, the High german Institute for Standardization (Deutsches Institut für Normung, DIN) proposed a new project to the European CEN Technical Board to compile European standards establishing requirements related to tattooing. The proposal was accepted as CEN/TC 435 "Tattooing services" comprising hygienic performance of tattooing, including cognition and skills, infection control, vaccination, suitable facilities as well as requirements for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, management of waste, necessary documentation and aftercare information (e14). However, microbiological quality criteria of tattoo inks are not covered, as this may exist a potential future mandate on tattoo products in the framework of the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC).

*Confirmed by pathogen detection

Abbreviations: f, female person; thou, male; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; MSSA, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus; NA, data not bachelor; WS, wound swab; BC, blood culture.

K., Klebsiella; P., Pseudomonas; S., Staphylococcus in S. aureus and S. lugdunensis; S., Serratia in S. marcescens; S., Streptococcus in S. pyogenes

Conclusions

With respect to the considerable popularity of tattoos and yet bereft regulation of hygiene measures in both the production of tattoo inks and the process of tattooing, infection risks associated to this kind of trunk art should be recognized as a potential public health business organization (2, 3, 8, 38). Since consumers may not be aware of infection risks from tattooing and tattoo artists complying with hygiene guidelines cannot easily be identified, statutory rules are urgently needed for consumer protection. Physicians should be aware of the tattoo-related complications, educate patients about potential wellness risks and provide communication to those with predisposing weather condition regarding the need of preventive measures such as specific follow-up care. If indicated patients shall be asked to refrain from tattoos which may help to foreclose sequelae.

Key Messages

  • In recent years, peel infections associated with tattoos are more than oft recognized as public health business organisation.

  • Serious bacterial infectious complications following tattooing have occasionally been documented in the literature.

  • Inappropriate hygiene measures and pre-existing atmospheric condition are among the major take a chance factors, and tattoo inks are likely being underrated equally a potential source of bacterial infection.

  • Mandatory quality measures for tattoo ink producers, tattoo parlors, and the tattoo artists are urgently recommended to protect consumers' health.

  • Physicians should adequately inform their patients about potential hazards and clinical complications after tattooing.

Footnotes

Conflict of interest argument

Prof. Al Dahouk has written a medical expertise written report regarding this paper'due south field of study affair.

All other authors declare that no conflict of involvement exists.

Acknowledgments

This study has been financially supported by intramural grants of the German Federal Found for Risk Assessment (BfR).

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Articles from Deutsches Ärzteblatt International are provided here courtesy of Deutscher Arzte-Verlag GmbH


Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5290255/

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