[Nontuberculous mycobacterial infection after tattooing caused by Mycobacterium chelonae]. / Nichttuberkulöse Mykobakteriose nach Tätowierung durch Mycobacterium chelonae.

We report the case of a healthy young man who presented to our clinic with itchy skin lesions in the area of a tattoo on the back of the left hand. Bioptic and cultural confirmation of the pathogens led to the diagnosis of Mycobacterium chelonae infection. We initiated antibiotic therapy using azithromycin and linezolid with good response. Our case underlines that besides allergic skin reactions, infections as a complication after tattooing should also be included in the differential diagnosis.