A Case of Catheter-related Kocuria marina Bloodstream Infection in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma

ABSTRACT

Kocuria species are gram-positive cocci that are commonly found on human skin, mucosa, and oropharynx. They can cause opportunistic infections in patients with underlying disease or intravenous catheterization. Although several cases of bacteremia caused by Kocuria rosea, Kocuria kristinae, and Kocuria rhizophila have been documented, K. marina has not been reported as a bloodstream pathogen. We isolated K. marina from the blood of a patient with multiple myeloma as a cause of catheter-related bacteremia. The VITEK II system (bioMerieux, Inc.) identified the isolate as K. variance. However, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis identified the isolate as K. marina. Accurate identification of Kocuria to the species level requires molecular methods that precisely identify these rare pathogens.