Kocuria rosea Sepsis in an Immunocompromised Patient: A Case Report

Kocuria species, classified within the phylum Actinomycetota, class Actinomycetes, order Micrococcales, family Micrococcaceae, are Gram-positive coccoid bacteria. They bear morphological resemblance to Staphylococci spp and Micrococci spp, which often leads to misidentification and oversight as contaminants, given their presence as normal flora on human and animal skin and mucous membranes. Accurate identification of these organisms typically relies on automated systems such as MALDI-TOF-MS, Vitek-2 System, and 16S rRNA studies. Once considered rare, there is increasing recognition of Kocuria spp due to its emerging involvement in human infections. With increasing reports of infections associated with these bacteria, it is essential for clinical microbiologists to analyze and document the properties of the organism. This will aid clinicians in enhancing patient care and management. We present the case of a 53-year-old male patient with a complex medical history, including end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis, anemia of chronic disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a history of rheumatic heart disease status post mitral valve replacement. This patient developed Kocuria rosea sepsis secondary to a central line catheter infection, highlighting the emerging clinical significance of Kocuria species in immunocompromised individuals.