A nationally distributed gray ink used in permanent tattoos has been linked with a skin infection that has been reported in four states, including New York.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the outbreak of Mycobacterium chelonae skin infections have been reported by 14 people in New York who received tattoos in a three month period.
Previously identified cases were reported in Washington, Iowa, and Colorado.
The infections are difficult to treat and can require a minimum of four months of treatment with a combination of two or more antibiotics.
The CDC says contamination of inks can occur during the manufacturing process as a result of using contaminated ingredients or poor manufacturing practices, or when inks are diluted with nonsterile water by tattoo artists.
On January 4, 2012, the Monroe County, N.Y. Department of Public Health began an outbreak investigation after receiving a report of a person with a persistent rash beginning a week after being tattooed. Using a list of customers provided by the artist, a total of 19 infections were identified, including 14 confirmed with M. chelonae.
The Food and Drug Administration conducted a series of inspections at the unnamed ink company and found no traces of the bacterium.
The FDA does not require tattoo inks be sterile but the CDC recommends that ink manufacturers ensure ink is sterile and that tattoo artists avoid contamination of ink through dilution with nonsterile water.
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An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
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