Disseminated Mycobacterium smegmatis infection associated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Mycobacterium smegmatis is an uncommon pathogen in humans that has been associated predominantly with skin and soft tissue infections. Osteomyelitis secondary to direct extension from a surgical or posttraumatic wound has been described. We report a case of a patient with M. smegmatis bacteremia less than 1 month after implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement with subsequent development of vertebral osteomyelitis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of disseminated disease due to M. smegmatis in an immunocompetent individual.