Standard Precautions
Culture
Lactose-fermenting, gram-negative bacterium of the Enterobacterales Order.
Widely distributed in the intestinal tracts of many species, as well as the environment.
Infections are opportunistic.
Antimicrobial resistance, particularly extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and AmpC cephalosporinase production, is an increasing problem. Carbapenem resistance is a major concern in human medicine but is currently less of a problem in veterinary patients.
Various opportunistic infections, including urinary tract infections and wound infections.
Typically susceptible to
Variable susceptibility to
Resistant to ampicillin and other penicillins. Some species are resistant to 1st and 2nd generation cephalosporins.
ESBL-producing strains are resistant to penicillins and most cephalosporins. Beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations are typically ineffective clinically. Often, these strains are only susceptible to aminoglycosides and carbapenems.
Klebsiella oxytoca is typically susceptible to beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Other species are not likely to be susceptible.