<it>Kocuria kristinae </it>infection associated with acute cholecystitis

• Main Authors: Chan Edmond CH, Lai Kristi TW, Wong Chris LP, Ma Edmond SK, Yam WC, Chan Angus CW
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2005-07-01
• Series: BMC Infectious Diseases
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/5/60

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Kocuria</it>, previously classified into the genus of <it>Micrococcus</it>, is commonly found on human skin. Two species, <it>K. rosea </it>and <it>K. kristinae</it>, are etiologically associated with catheter-related bacteremia.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the first case of <it>K. kristinae </it>infection associated with acute cholecystitis. The microorganism was isolated from the bile of a 56-year old Chinese man who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. He developed post-operative fever that resolved readily after levofloxacin treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our report of <it>K. kristinae </it>infection associated with acute cholecystitis expands the clinical spectrum of infections caused by this group of bacteria. With increasing number of recent reports describing the association between <it>Kocuria spp. </it>and infectious diseases, the significance of their isolation from clinical specimens cannot be underestimated. A complete picture of infections related to <it>Kocuria spp. </it>will have to await the documentation of more clinical cases.</p>