Misidentification of Mycobacterium peregrinum , the Causal Organism of a Case of Bacteremia and Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator-Associated Infection, Due to Its Unusual Acid-Fast Staining Characteristics

We report an unusual case of Mycobacterium peregrinum bacteremia and infection of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator that was originally misidentified as a Nocardia sp. due, in part, to its partially acid-fast staining characteristic, morphology, and odor. The misdiagnosis had a direct effect on patient care, though the patient was subsequently successfully treated.