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Tattooing inks may be contaminated with infectious agents. An epidemic of cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonae infections occurred in Rochester, New York, in the fall of 2011. Data obtained for analysis included interviews with patients, histopathological analysis of skin biopsy specimens, acid-fast bacteria smears, microbial cultures, antimicrobial sensitivity testing, DNA sequencing, pulse-field gel electrophoresis, cultures of ink, assessment of source water and faucets at tattoo parlors, and investigations of the ink manufacturer.
Within 3 months, 19 persons (13 men) developed a “rash” in their new tattoos associated with the “painting” of grey tattoos by a single tattoo artist. The tattoo parlor utilized “best practices,” using sterile inst…