Dangerous bacteria man went swimming with a new tattoo and died

Man with new tattoo suffers a deadly infection while bathing
At m Baden in the Gulf of Mexico, a man has contracted a deadly bacterial infection. He had gone into the water with a fresh tattoo, so that bacteria of the genus Vibrio vulnificus could penetrate his body, which subsequently caused a septic shock. The warnings about the risk of infection in a new tattoo, the man has apparently ignored.

In a tattoo, the skin is injured and over the wounds can easily get pathogens in the organism. Therefore, after a tattoo caution is appropriate and there should be a special Tattoopflege. The magazine "BMJ Case Reports" reports on a case in which a man ignored the warnings and went swimming with his new tattoo in the Gulf of Mexico. He suffered a fatal infection with bacteria of the genus Vibrio vulnificus.

In the case of a tattoo, we injure the skin and wounds that can lead to life-threatening infections can invade the wound. (Image: belyjmishka / fotolia.com)

Dangerous bacteria invaded the fresh tattoo wound
Vibrio vulnificus are bacteria that are common in marine waters. Even in the Baltic Sea, these bacteria are already widespread today. In humans, the bacteria can lead to infection in several ways. So an oral intake of contaminated foods such as oysters and other seafood is possible, but the pathogens can also penetrate into open wounds. The latter has apparently happened to the deceased patient. The man developed a wound infection in the area of ​​his new Wadentattoos, which expanded rapidly.

Patients with chronic liver disease particularly at risk
In the hospital, the suspicion of infection with Vibrio vulnificus was confirmed by blood and wound cultures, the treating physicians report in the journal "BMJ Case Reports". Despite an immediate intensive treatment, the patient had developed a cellulitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue) and finally succumbed to a septic shock. The physicians emphasize the connection with an existing chronic liver disease of the man. In principle, infections with Vibrio vulnificus are particularly dangerous for patients with liver disease.

Watch for signs of Vibrion infection
Physicians should be especially vigilant in patients with chronic liver disease who have eaten raw oysters or bathed in sea water, if there is evidence of a Vibrion infection, the warning in the current case report. Possible symptoms of the infection are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and blistering dermatitis. In particular, patients with chronic liver disease often suffer a life-threatening septic shock in the course of infections. (Fp)