Kytococcus schroeteriBacteremia in a Patient with Hairy Cell Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

TheKytococcusgenus formerly belonged toMicrococcus. The first report of aKytococcus schroeteriinfection was in 2002 in a patient diagnosed with endocarditis. We report a case of central line associatedKytococcus schroeteribacteremia in a patient with underlying Hairy Cell Leukemia.Kytococcus schroeteriis an emerging infection in the neutropenic population and in patients with implanted artificial tissue. It is thought to be a commensal bacterium of the skin; however, attempts to culture the bacteria remain unsuccessful. There have been a total of 5 cases (including ours) ofK. schroeteribacteremia in patients with hematologic malignancies and neutropenia and only 18 documented cases in any population. Four of the cases of bacteria in neutropenic patients have been fatal, but early detection and treatment could make a difference in clinical outcomes.