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Infektionen durch Piercing und Tattoos — eine Übersicht

Infections due to body piercing and tattoos — a review

  • Themenschwerpunkt „Infektionen“
  • Published:
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Zusammenfassung

Piercing, d. h. das Durchstechen der Haut bzw. Schleimhaut zum Zweck der Befestigung eines (meist metallischen) Schmuckelements, sowie die (meist mehrfarbige) Tätowierung der Haut erfreuen sich zunehmender Beliebtheit vor allem in jüngeren Altersgruppen der Gesellschaft. Dabei wird allgemein unterschätzt, daß diese als modern geltenden und die individuelle Ausstrahlungskraft angeblich steigernden Praktiken zur Körperverschönerung (body art) mit verschiedenen unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen assoziiert sein können. Hier sind vor allem Infektionen zu nennen.

Zu den wichtigsten bakteriellen Infektionserregern zählen dabei Staphylococcus aureus, A-Streptokokken und Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bei den Viren sind vor allem Hepatitis-B-Virus und Hepatitis-C-Virus zu nennen.

Neben bakteriellen Lokalinfektionen unterschiedlichen Schweregrads kann es auch zu systemischen Infektionen (Sepsis, Endokarditis) kommen. Die wichtigsten Aspekte der Diagnostik, Therapie und Prophylaxe werden dargelegt und diskutiert.

Summary

Piercing, i. e. perforation of skin or mucous membranes in order to attach mostly metallic jewellery as well as multicoloured skin tattooing have become more popular than ever before and a considerable number of (young) people practise these methods of body art which are supposed to increase the individuality. But there is a lot of side effects, among them especially infections.

The most important bacteria cultivated from such patients are Staphylococcus aureus, group A streptococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Viruses which can be transmitted by piercing or tattooing are especially hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus.

Besides local bacterial infections also systemic infections (sepsis, endocarditis) occur. The main aspects of diagnostics, therapy and prevention are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ärztlichen Labor Dr. Berthold & Kollegen, Am Kleistpark 1, D-15230, Frankfurt/Oder, Deutschland

    Werner Handrick

  2. Gemeinschaftspraxis für Medizinische Mikrobiologie Mölbis, Deutschland

    Pietro Nenoff

  3. Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde der Universität Leipzig, Deutschland

    Heidrun Müller

  4. Zahnärztlichen Gemeinschaftspraxis Dr. med. habil. W. Knöfler, Dr. H. Ecke, Leipzig, Deutschland

    Wolfram Knöfler

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  1. Werner Handrick
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  2. Pietro Nenoff
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  4. Wolfram Knöfler
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Correspondence to Werner Handrick.

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Handrick, W., Nenoff, P., Müller, H. et al. Infektionen durch Piercing und Tattoos — eine Übersicht. WMW 153, 194–197 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1563-258X.2003.02118.x

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