Pneumonia due to Micrococcus spp. in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia

A 26-year-old female patient with acute myeloid leukaemia was hospitalized for the second cycle of remission induction chemotherapy. While neutropenic she developed progressive pulmonary infiltrate, with Micrococcus spp. cultured from two consecutive bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, resulting in respiratory insufficiency. The patient died after an unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This report of micrococcal pneumonia emphasizes that the pathogenicity of this skin commensal is not limited to infections in tissues surrounding prosthetic devices or indwelling intravenous catheters. Especially in immunocompromised patients, Micrococcus spp. from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids cannot be lightly dismissed as non-pathogenic when pneumonia is considered.