Nontuberculous mycobacteria are rare causes of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) pocket infections. The defibrillators are more prone to infections when compared to pacemakers. Pocket infections may lead to device-related endocarditis, so preventing them is key. Presence of acid-fast bacilli on smears may aid in the diagnosis. These bacteria grow within 3-7 days on standard agar blood culture media. Accurate diagnosis requires PCR-restriction enzyme analysis. More often than not, with these infections, it is strongly recommended that entire device or hardware be removed urgently. A minimum of 4 months of therapy with at least two agents is necessary.
