The Incidence of Multirsistance Kocuria spp. among Different Clinical Samples in Erbil City, Iraq

Background: Gram positive Kocuria spp. are a part of normal of the skin and oropharynx commensals in mammals but also described as opportunistic pathogens in human infections including urinary tract infection, pneumonia, wound infection, Ear infection, bronchial infection and also peritonitis and brain abscess, isolated from different clinical specimens increasing resistance to some antibiotics all over the world by distribution between patient with high morbidity and mortality rates.

Objective: Our study aimed to carry out retrospective study on Kocuria spp. isolated from various clinical samples in Erbil city and analyzed its epidemiology, antibiotic resistance pattern and pathogenic potential.

Methods: A total of thirty Kocuria spp. isolated distributed according to their source of isolation such as blood, wound, CSF, ear swab, throat swab, ascetic fluid and bronchial wash isolated and identified by using microscopical, morphological, biochemical tests and API and Vitek 2 compact system. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by manually by using 8 antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Amikacin, Nitrofurantion, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Cifixime, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (2:1)). Phenotypic screening of ESBLs was undertaken using Vitek 2 compact system.

Results: Out of 4399 samples, 30 samples were tested positive for Kocuria spp., the highest percentage of Kocuria spp. In female 20(0.76%) was higher than those in male patients 10(0.57%) Results showed that 30 isolates of Kocuria distributed as (13) isolates were indicated as Kocuria kristinae, (5) Kocuria varians, and (6) Kocuria rosea Kocuria spp.isolates showed high resistance (43.3%) to Cifixime, (30%) to Amoxicillin-Clavulanate 2:1, (26.7%) to Amikacin, (20%) to Nitrofurantion and (13.3%) to both Gentamicin and Cefotaxime. Kocuria spp. was surprisingly (100%) sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone with all the 30 samples that we had. Relation between bacteria species and gender, all species showed higher number in female than male.