Kocuria kristinae infection associated with acute cholecystitis.
BACKGROUND
Kocuria, previously classified into the genus of Micrococcus, is commonly found on human skin. Two species, K. rosea and K. kristinae, are etiologically associated with catheter-related bacteremia.


METHODS
We describe the first case of K. kristinae 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.


CONCLUSIONS
Our report of K. kristinae 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 Kocuria spp. and infectious diseases, the significance of their isolation from clinical specimens cannot be underestimated. A complete picture of infections related to Kocuria spp. will have to await the documentation of more clinical cases.
Ma
Edmond S K
ES
Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong. eskma@hksh.com
Wong
Chris L P
CL
Lai
Kristi T W
KT
Chan
Edmond C H
EC
Yam
W C
WC
Chan
Angus C W
AC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D064704:Levofloxacin; D008297:Male; D008835:Micrococcaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin