Rapidly growing mycobacteria as emerging pathogens in bloodstream and device-related infection: a case of pacemaker infection with Mycobacterium neoaurum

IntroductionWe present a case of pacemaker infection with a rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM).Case presentation:An 80-year-old woman presented with fever, weight loss and malaise for 2 months. Mycobacterium neoaurum was isolated from blood cultures and from cardiac pacing wires. She made an excellent recovery with combination antimicrobial therapy and removal of the device.Conclusion:Such RGMs are encountered with increasing frequency in intravascular device-associated infections, posing challenges for both laboratory identification and clinical management.