Pacemaker associated infection due to a corynebacterium species

Pacemaker associated infection (PAI) is a rare but often serious complication of permanent or temporary transvenous cardiac pacemakers. The major risk factor is recent or multiple pacemaker manipulations or surgical procedures. A PAI can occur at the time of insertion, from contiguous spread to the access site, or from transient bacteremia. We report a case of PAI of a retained pacemaker electrode from which a Corynebacterium species was isolated. Multiple preoperative cultures were sterile, but bacteria were isolated from tissue removed at surgery, and were seen around the wire deep inside a thrombus. The importance of cultures and special stains (including electron microscopy) of surgical materials is stressed, especially when dealing with microorganisms of ordinarily low virulence, or those that are commonly considered laboratory contaminants.