Emergence of Kocuria rhizophila and Kocuria rosea Infections in Immunocompromised Patients

Micrococcal species are commonly found as commensal on skin and mucosa of humans and animals. However they are known to cause infections such as meningitis, endocarditis, and pneumonia, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and infections related to implanted or inserted devices. Recently, there has been an increasing incidence of different types of Kocuria infections reported, most likely due to the adoption of new and better identification methods. Here, we report two cases of bloodstream infection caused by Kocuria spp in different age group of patients. The infection was subsequently resolved by antibiotic treatment. Judicious and attentive laboratory workup of Gram-positive blood-borne infections may reveal more cases of Kocuria spp infections in immunosuppressed patients, which may collaborate for a better understanding, prevention and early treatment of these infections.