Mycobacterium chelonae infection associated with tattoos.

© 2011 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1034 Journal Compilation © 2011 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Mycobacterium chelonae is a non-tuberculous Mycobacterium spp. classified in the rapidly growing mycobacteria group. M. chelonae has been isolated from various environmental sources, including tap water, water tanks, industrial sources, and even medical instruments. Disruption of the skin barrier caused by trauma, surgical intervention or cosmetic procedures facilitates the entry of different bacteria that can produce localized or, usually in immunosuppressed patients, systemic infections. We describe here an outbreak of M. chelonae infection in five immunocompetent patients who were being tattooed by the same artist.