Klebsiella

Klebsiella /Kleb·si·el·la/ (kleb″se-el´ah) a genus of gram-negative bacteria (family Enterobacteriaceae); K. pneumo´niae is the etiologic agent of Friedländer's pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

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Kleb·si·el·la (klbz-l)

n.

A genus of bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae containing nonmotile, gram-negative, frequently encapsulated rods that are arranged singly, in pairs, or in short chains. It includes some human pathogens.

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Klebsiella

[kleb′zē·el′ə]

Etymology: Theodore A.E. Klebs, German bacteriologist, 1834-1913

a genus of diplococcal bacteria that appear as small, plump rods with rounded ends. Several respiratory diseases, including bronchitis, sinusitis, and some forms of pneumonia, are caused by infection by species of Klebsiella.

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Klebsiella [kleb″se-al´ah]

a genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria that are widely distributed in nature and commonly found in the intestinal tract. They are a frequent cause of nosocomial urinary and pulmonary infections and wound infections. Species include K. pneumo´niae (also called K. friedlän´deri), the etiologic agent of Friedländer's pneumonia; K. pneumo´niae ozae´nae, which occurs in ozena and other respiratory diseases; and K. rhinosclero´matis, a species isolated from patients with rhinoscleroma.

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Klebsiella

a genus of gram-negative bacteria in the tribe Klebsiellae, family Enterobacteriaceae. Includes K. mobilis (syn. Enterobacter aerogenes).

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Klebsiella pneumoniae

carried in the vestibule of the vagina, urethra and clitoridal fossa of the mare as normal flora, but invasion of the cervix and uterus does occur, causing metritis and infertility. An occasional cause of bovine mastitis, hematogenous osteomyelitis originating in pulmonary lesions in cattle, bronchopneumonia in dogs, and pyothorax in horses.

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Patient discussion about Klebsiella.

Q. Are superbugs contagious through the air? Last week we visited my dad in the hospital, and we noticed that on the next room’s door there was a warning sign. After asking, we were told it was a denoting that the patient inside had a superbug (called klebsiella). On our way out we passed against this patient in the hallway – is it possible that I also carry this superbag? Is it dangerous?

A. Usually these bacteria are transmitted from person to person through direct contact, and less through the air. Moreover, these germs are dangerous in ill and debilitated patients, and not in normal healthy individuals.

Q. What is KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE 0.00

A. Klebsiella is a bacteria that can cause different types of infections such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia, and is considered a not very common pathogen among patients in the community (meaning outside the hospital). It is known as a pathogen that attacks hospitalized patients at a higher frequency and needds good antibiotic treatment.