Bacterial endocarditis and body art: Suggestions for an active prevention

Publications reporting cases of bacterial endocarditis after piercing and tattooing are increasing. These cases are probably overestimated by the publications, whereas millions of people are tattooed and pierced around the world and congenital heart diseases concern approximately 1% of the general population. However, this rare, but severe complication, deserve an active prevention not only directed towards patients and cardiologists but also towards the overall population and the professionals. In the absence of clear guidelines, here is provided a series of recommendations recently published in a French tattoo magazine for customers and professionals. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.