Haematogenous pneumonia caused by Kocuria kristinae in a patient with a central venous catheter

Unlabelled: Kocuria kristinae is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium, rarely responsible for infection in immunocompromised patients. A 29-year-old woman affected by intestinal pseudo-obstruction and requiring home parenteral nutrition, was hospitalised for fever and shivering during the infusion through a long-term central venous catheter (CVC). Blood cultures were positive for K. kristinae infection. At a chest CT scan, two partially cavitated nodular lesions were evidenced. Meropenem antibiotic therapy was used locally and systemically, resulting in catheter use restoration. A chest CT scan two months later at follow-up showed two centimetric, fibrotic and disventilatory areas replacing the previous nodular thickenings. Kokuria kristinae was responsible for haematogenous pulmonary involvement with excavated nodules, requiring a differential diagnosis. Moreover, in the case of a CVC infection, in addition to the risk of right endocarditis, haematogenous pneumonia must also be considered. Learning points: Kocuria kristinae is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium, potentially responsible for infection.In the case of central venous catheter infection, in addition to the risk of right endocarditis, haematogenous pneumonia must also be considered.A differential diagnosis between bacterial and fungal infection is necessary (less, but to be suspected, neoplastic metastases).