Difficulty with Gordonia bronchialis identification by Microflex mass spectrometer in a pacemaker-induced endocarditis

Introduction: This report describes the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of pacemaker-induced endocarditis due to Gordonia bronchialis.

Presentation: Pacemaker-induced endocarditis due to G. bronchialis infection was determined in a 92-year old man. This Gram-positive bacillus failed to be identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology, whereas the taxon was indexed in the database. 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing were required to determine the correct strain identity.

Conclusion: Infections caused by G. bronchialis remain a rare phenomenon affecting immunocompromised patients and/or medical device carriers. Molecular tools may be necessary to ensure accurate identification.