Sternal osteomyelitis caused by Gordonia bronchialis in an immunocompetent patient following coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract

Skin commensals, especially gram-positive cocci, are the usual microbial organisms that cause post-operative sternal wound infections. Rarely, environmental bacteria such as Gordonia spp. have been implicated as etiological agents in post-cardiac procedure surgical site infections. We report a case of a patient who presented with post-coronary artery bypass sternal osteomyelitis caused by this uncommon pathogen, and review relevant medical literature to identify commonalities in presentation, diagnosis and management. Repeat isolation of Gordonia bronchialis in the setting of post-procedure wound infection should raise suspicion for a real pathogenicity. Definitive identification requires a broad range of bacterial PCR DNA amplification and sequencing followed by susceptibility testing as treatment may require a prolonged course of antibiotics.