Kocuria rhizophila Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of Kocuria rhizophila infection in a healthy woman and highlights the need for increased clinical awareness of this emerging pathogen.

Contribution

The paper presents the eighth documented case of Kocuria rhizophila infection and emphasizes its association with catheter-related infections.

Findings

Kocuria rhizophila infection occurred in an immunocompetent patient with a central venous catheter.

Antibiotic treatment and catheter removal successfully resolved the infection.

Kocuria species are increasingly recognized as emerging pathogens, particularly in catheter-related infections.

Abstract

The Kocuria species, formerly considered opportunistic bacteria, have been described as capable of producing infection in various systems and organs, particularly among immunocompromised patients, and are associated with device-related infections.

We report a 54-year-old immunocompetent woman with relapsing central venous catheter-related infection following a seven-day course of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Blood cultures and catheter tips grew Kocuria rhizophila. Susceptibility testing was performed and interpreted according to Staphylococcus species criteria, showing sensitivity to all tested antibiotics. Catheter removal and antibiotic treatment resulted in a complete resolution.

To our knowledge, we present the eighth case report of infection by Kocuria rhizophila. Infections caused by this pathogen are usually observed in patients with a history of immunosuppression or vascular catheters. Consequently, the occurrence of Kocuria species in this context demands clinical awareness. Further studies and detailed reporting of clinical cases are essential to improve diagnostic accuracy, guide treatment decisions, and clarify the role of Kocuria spp. as an emerging pathogen.