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Pacemaker endocarditis due to Propionibacterium acnes

K Zedtwitz-Liebenstein1, H Gabriel, W Graninger

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, University, Hospital of Vienna,Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. konstantin.zedtwitz-liebenstein@akh-wien.ac.at

Infection
|June 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes, typically found on skin, can cause serious infections like endocarditis, especially with medical devices. This case highlights that "harmless" bacteria should be viewed as potential pathogens in certain situations.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Propionibacterium acnes is a common human cutaneous bacterium.
  • Often regarded as commensal or contaminant, its pathogenic potential is underestimated.
  • It is an infrequent cause of infective endocarditis, particularly affecting prosthetic material.

Observation:

  • A case of pacemaker endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes is presented.
  • The patient developed infective endocarditis associated with a pacemaker device.
  • This highlights a specific clinical scenario involving P. acnes.

Findings:

  • Propionibacterium acnes demonstrated pathogenicity in the context of a foreign body (pacemaker).
  • The bacterium, usually considered harmless, acted as a significant pathogen.
  • Infective endocarditis developed despite the organism's typical classification.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Propionibacterium acnes as a potential pathogen, especially in device-related infections.
  • The study underscores the need to re-evaluate bacteria traditionally deemed non-pathogenic.
  • This finding is crucial for diagnosing and treating uncommon forms of endocarditis.

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