Rhodococcus erythropolis is an opportunistic pathogen with low virulence, human infection of which is rare, with few reports in China. This article reports a case with fever and pulmonary nodules as the main clinical manifestations on the basis of diabetes, which was confirmed as Rhodococcus erythropolis infection by lung biopsy and metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Relevant literatures from China and abroad were systematically reviewed, clinical manifestations as well as diagnosis and treatment experience of the infection caused by this bacteria were summarized, providing reference for domestic and foreign peers, in order to enable timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of Rhodococcus erythropolis infection in the future.