What is Klebsiella Pneumoniae? 10 Things You Need to Know
11th December 2023
Klebsiella bacteria are emerging as one of the more common and serious healthcare acquired infections, and the Klebsiella pneumoniae strain is causing particular concern in the medical community.
In early 2017 the bacteria made headlines after a patient in the US died when 26 different antibiotics failed to treat the Klebsiella pneumoniae infection they had contracted whilst abroad the previous year.
As the threat of antibiotic resistance grows, we should all be wary of the severity of illnesses caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and take necessary precautions to avoid contracting an infection.
Read on for 10 things about Klebsiella pneumoniae from Addmaster:
- The Klebsiella genus is named after Edwin Klebs, a German microbiologist who was renowned for his extensive studies on infectious diseases.
- Usually, the bacteria is found in the digestive tract and stool, where it poses no risk to healthy people as it is kept balanced by the microbiome in the gut.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae is also found in soil, and is of particular interest to the agricultural and farming sectors as it has been proved to increase crop yields.
- Infections can occur when the bacteria is transmitted outside of the digestive tract. There’s a risk of meningitis or sepsis if it enters the bloodstream through wounds or surgical sites, whilst inhaling airborne particles can lead to complications in the respiratory system.
- People with weakened immune systems or underlying health issues are most at risk of developing complications from an infection, alongside patients already receiving treatment for existing conditions or taking long-course antibiotics, as this can disrupt the gut’s microbiome.
- Also at risk are patients using medical devices, such as ventilators or intravenous catheters, as cross-infection can occur if equipment or apparatus is unsanitary.
- Hand hygiene is also key to reducing bacterial spread, as person-to-person transmission from the hands of healthcare workers, patients or visitors is a major exposure pathway.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae infections that are not drug-resistant will normally be prescribed a course of antibiotics as treatment. The full course should always be taken in line with your medical professional’s advice.
- Some strains have developed resistance to the class of antibiotics known as carbapenems, considered to be the last resort for treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- A study released in 2017 discovered evidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae, as well as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas, on the London Underground’s Victoria line.