Pacemaker infection due to Mycobacterium fortuitum: the role of universal 16S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing

Rapidly growing mycobacteria are a rare cause of pacemaker infection. A low index of suspicion and conventional diagnostic methods may delay diagnosis. We present a review of the literature and report a case of pacemaker infection due to Mycobacterium fortuitum rapidly detected by universal 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.