Erroneous reporting of coagulase-negative Staphylococci as Kocuria spp. by the Vitek 2 system

J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Mar;43(3):1448-50. doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.3.1448-1450.2005.

Abstract

Misidentification of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) may delay appropriate treatment. We investigated 20 clinical isolates identified as Kocuria spp. by the Vitek 2 system. All were identified as CoNS by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (18 Staphylococcus epidermidis, 1 Staphylococcus haemolyticus). Four Kocuria isolates were shown to be identical to CoNS from the same patient by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Isolates identified by Vitek 2 as Kocuria most likely represent misidentified CoNS, and if clinically indicated, should be investigated further by genomic methods.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriological Techniques*
  • Coagulase / analysis*
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Humans
  • Micrococcaceae / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Coagulase
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S