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Since 2003, several published reports have described tattoo-related localized infections caused by atypical mycobacteria. After a dermatologist reported a persistent granulomatous rash on the recently tattooed arm of a patient in Rochester, New York, public health officials launched an investigation.
The officials identified 19 individuals (average age, 35; range, 18–48) who developed persistent, raised, erythematous rashes within 3 weeks after receiving tattoos from the same tattoo artist between September and December 2011. The attack rate — calculated from a list of 167 patrons provided by the artist — peaked in November at 65%.
Skin-biopsy specimens were obtained from 17 of the affected individuals; granulomas were seen in 5 and acid-fast…