Klebsiella Infection

Klebsiella genus is a gram-negative rod of the enterobacteriaceae family. This organism is found widely throughout nature and is part of the normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract, throat and skin of humans and animals. Several species within Klebsiella cause disease; the K. pneumoniae species is the most common species associated with human disease.

• Old Medical Text

Significance

• Enhanced Microscope Image

  Klebsiella was first described by Hans Adolf Krebs, a German microbiologist, in the 19th century. Almost all infections in humans are caused by K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca. Klebsiella is responsible for a host of common infections.

Pneumonia

• Through the Microscope

  Pneumonia is the most common infection caused by Klebsiella, both inside and outside health care facilities. The majority of cases occur in older males with underlying diseases such as alcoholism, diabetes and chronic lung disease. The main group at risk is alcoholics, who make up two-thirds of the patient group with K. pneumoniae. Mortality rates are very high, and can be almost 100 percent in alcoholics who develop bacteria in the blood.

Symptoms

• K. pneumoniae usually follows a rapid onset. The most common symptoms include high fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, body aches, lack of energy and a very productive cough. The sputum is usually thick and blood-tinged. This form of pneumonia often causes lung tissue destruction and abscess formation. Premature infants are also susceptible to K. pneumoniae.

Other Infections

• Urinary tract infections are also commonly caused by K. pneumoniae. They are usually caused by urinary catheterization and are hospital-acquired. Klebsiella is often found in wounds and abscesses in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Diarrhea may be found in immunocompromised individuals. Rhinoscleroma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasopharynx and respiratory system is rarely fatal but can cause deformities of the nose.

Treatment

• Klebsiella infections are treated with third-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones or aminoglycosides. Sensitivity studies are needed to determine the best antibiotic, as some strains may become resistant to multiple antibiotics.