Molecular diagnosis of a vascular prosthesis infection, due to Propionibacterium acnes, by amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA.

We describe a case of indolent vascular prosthesis infection due to Propionibacterium acnes. The microorganism was identified only by amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA, while standard cultures remained negative. This observation underscores the usefulness of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of infection caused by fastidious microorganisms.