Types of Klebsiella

Klebsiella belongs to the family of bacteria known as Enterobacteriaceae. It was discovered in the 19th century by the biologist Edwin Klebs and has recently become an important source of infections in humans. There are several types of Klebsiella, the most medically important being Klebsiella pneumoniae. Klebsiella can cause lung and urinary infections and is therefore a source of concern for physicians and hospital administrators, who must seek to control the spread of these organisms.

Klebsiella Pneumoniae

• Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most medically important form of Klebsiella. It can spread through the respiratory tract or bloodstream and is passed from person to person by contact, or less commonly through contaminants in the environment. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a relatively rare infection that is more common in diabetics and alcoholics.

Other Klebsiella

• Two other Klebsiella family members are medically important. Klebsiella oxytoca and Klebsiella rhinoscleroma have recently been found in human clinical samples. These microbes are especially important in hospital acquired infections.

Drug Resitant Klebsiella

• Normally Klebsiella infections are treated with antibiotics. Recently, strains of Klebsiella have developed resistance to many antibiotics. These bacteria produce enzymes, such as carbapenemase, that breaks down various antibiotics. In these cases it is essential that a microbiology laboratory perform drug susceptibility testing to identify a properly efficacious antibiotic.

Infections

• Klebsiella can cause urinary and respiratory infections. Klebsiella urinary infections are generally found in older women. Klebsiella can also cause bacteremia, surgical site infections and intravascular catheter infections. Klebsiella lung infections cause the production of a characteristic red currant-jelly sputum.