Kytococcus schroeteri pneumonia in two patients with a hematological malignancy.

Neutropenic patients are susceptible to infections with usually harmless microorganisms. We report two cases of severe pneumonia in hematological patients due to Kytococcus schroeteri, a saprophyte of the human skin. When blood cultures or respiratory specimens yield micrococcus-like colonies, Kytococcus species, which are often resistant to penicillin, should be considered and the antimicrobial therapy should be adjusted accordingly.