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Mycobacterium fortuitum pacemaker infection: A case report
Yahya Shabi1, David Haldane1, Paul Bonnar2
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Summary
Mycobacterium fortuitum, a common environmental bacterium, rarely causes infections. This case highlights a rare instance of cardiac device infection and endocarditis in an immunocompetent patient.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mycobacterium fortuitum is a rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium found in soil and water.
- Infections caused by M. fortuitum are uncommon, particularly in immunocompetent individuals.
- Cardiac device infections and bloodstream infections from non-tuberculous mycobacteria are rare occurrences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of infective endocarditis and pacemaker lead infection.
- To describe the clinical presentation and management of M. fortuitum infection in a cardiac device patient.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 85-year-old patient.
- Review of clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of M. fortuitum infection.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with infective endocarditis and pacemaker lead infection.
- The infection was secondary to Mycobacterium fortuitum.
Conclusions:
- Mycobacterium fortuitum can cause severe infections, including endocarditis and cardiac device infections, even in immunocompetent hosts.
- This case underscores the importance of considering non-tuberculous mycobacteria in the differential diagnosis of cardiac device infections.
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