BACKGROUND: Recently, the use of cardiac implantable electrophysiological devices (CIEDs) has increased. Advances in medical technology, an increasingly aging population, increases in clinical indications, and expanded medical insurance coverage for these devices have all contributed to this trend. Infection is considered to be one of the most serious complications of CIEDs and carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Although infection with Staphylococcus sp. accounts for the majority of cases, other bacteria have been implicated as causative agents of infection of CIEDs.

CASE REPORT: We report the first case of primary pacemaker generator pocket and lead infection due to Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) in the state of Qatar. To our knowledge, there have been few cases of CIED infection due to B. cepacia previously reported in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS: This case raises awareness of B. cepacia as a potential opportunistic pathogen in CIED infection. The more rare bacteria require culture on special media to provide an early diagnosis to enable proper antimicrobial therapy to commence. Adherence to infection control standards during CIED insertion would reduce infection from B. cepacia.

Keywords: Burkholderia cepacia, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices, Defibrillators, Implantable, Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation, Pacemaker, Artificial