Pathogens
Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'

General Information

Fermenting Gram-negative rod, of the Enterobacteriaceae family

  • Urinary tract infections
  • Intra-abdominal and biliary infection
  • Community acquired pneumonia. Occasionally presents with thick blood-tinged ("currant jelly") sputum.
  • Hospital acquired pneumonia
  • Liver abscesses
  • Endogenous endophthalmitis

Some strains are highly virulent and mucoid, associated with metastatic infections, particularly liver abscesses.

May require contact precautions if highly resistant i.e. ESBL, carbapenem resistant.

Treatment of choice for invasive ESBL strains is a carbapenem.