Bacteremia and Pneumoniae Caused by Kocuria Kristina: A Rare Case

Abstract

Kocuria kristinae, previously known as Micrococcus kristinae, are common in nature but are included in the normal skin flora, mucous membrane, and oropharynx in humans and are generally not pathogenic. Kocuria species are facultative anaerobic, catalase positive, and coagulase negative cocci. It can cause peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis, catheterrelated urinary tract infections, acute cholecystitis, infective endocarditis, meningitis, brain abscess, and pneumonia in patients with chronic disease and immunocompromised patients. This article presents a case of pneumonia and bacteremia due to Kocuria kristinae, reported for the first time in Turkey, in a 72-year-old female patient with a history of comorbid diseases and tracheostomy.

Keywords

• kocuria kristinae
• pneumonia
• bacteremia
• intensive care unit