Klebsiella Pneumoniae & Urinary Tract Infections

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterial organism that is responsible for causing pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infection (UTI). The organism resides in the upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals. It causes infection of the urinary tract when it is introduced to the region by spread of fecal matter containing the organism.

Epidemiology

• Klebsiella pneumoniae infections are more common among those who are predisposed to infection including the elderly, those with chronic respiratory disease, those with diabetes and alcoholics. Hospitalized patients with an indwelling urinary catheter are at higher risk of developing a UTI.

Symptoms

• Typical symptoms of UTI are painful urination, increased urinary frequency, visible blood in the urine, cloudy and foul smelling urine, flank pain, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.

Diagnosis

• Klebsiella pneumoniae can be identified as the specific cause of UTI through urine gram stain and culture. These procedures are performed by a clinical laboratory following collection of a urine sample.

Treatment

• Klebsiella pneumoniae can be resistant to many antibiotics. Thus, treatment must be adjusted to fit the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated organisms, and treatment progress should be monitored regularly.

Prevention

• UTI from Klebsiella pneumoniae can be prevented by removing indwelling catheters as soon as they are no longer needed and reducing exposure to infectious organisms in those who are predisposed to infection.