Korean J Crit Care Med.  2015 Aug;30(3):184-190. 10.4266/kjccm.2015.30.3.184.

Toxic Shock Syndrome following Tattooing

• Jeong KY
• Kim KS
• Suh GJ
• Kwon WY

• KMID: 2227647
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2015.30.3.184

Abstract

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening illness that is mainly caused by toxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Although TSS is classically known to be associated with tampon use, the number of TSS cases with non-menstrual causes such as skin and soft tissue infection has been increasing. Tattooing can result in several complications such as localized and systemic infections, inflammatory skin eruptions and neoplasms. We recently experienced a 26-year-old man diagnosed with typical TSS following tattooing. He complained of fever, chills and erythematous rash at tattoo site. Subsequently, the patient developed sign of shock. The skin cultures on the tattoo site were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was successfully treated with vasopressor infusion and intravenous antibiotics and was discharged without complications. On discharge from the hospital 7 days later, desquamations on the tattoo site, fingers and toes were observed.

Keyword

shock, septic; Staphylococcus aureus; tattooing

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Chills
Exanthema
Fever
Fingers
Humans
Shock
Shock, Septic*
Skin
Soft Tissue Infections
Staphylococcus aureus
Tattooing*
Toes
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Skin lesions around the tattoo sites three days after tattooing (A and B), and erythematous rash on the anterior chest wall (C).

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  Fig. 2. Desquamations on the fingers and toes three days after discharge.

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  Fig. 3. Changes in fever (A) and biochemical parameters (B-D) during hospitalization.

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