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KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE

Klebsiella causes a wide range of diseases including pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI) and enteritis. It can also cause septic lesions like meningitis, sinusitis and otitis.

It is commonly called a superbug and can cause various diseases based on which body part it affects.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is bacteria that are normally present inside the human intestines. It is harmless in that location.

Normally, it lives in the human intestines. But when it affects other locations of the body it can cause multiple diseases.

K. pneumoniae infections are nosocomial; they can be transmitted in healthcare or hospital environments.

They are not air-borne but they can spread through direct contact with infected persons or medical equipments.

Persons with weak immune systems or those who are taking treatments for multiple health problems are prone to get K. pneumonia infection.

Intake of antibiotics over a long period of time can also place a person at risk of developing Klebsiella infection.

The symptoms of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection will vary based on the affected location. However they may be similar to the symptoms of other infections by other microorganisms.

For example, meningitis that is caused by K. pneumonia can have the same symptoms of bacterial meningitis, like fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright lights and confusion.

Bloodstream infections like bacteremia and sepsis caused by Klebsiella produce chills, fever, rash, altered mental states and lightheadedness.

Pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae can lead to:

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Fevers and chills
  • Cough with yellow, green, or bloody mucus
  • Breathing problems

Antibiotics are used by doctors in treating K. pneumoniae infections. But some strains are getting resistant against most antibiotics like carbapenems. Enzymes produced by klebsiella known as Klebsiella pneumonia carbapenemases (KPC) makes antibiotics ineffective.

These resistant bacteria are called carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). These bacteria can cause infections which do not respond well to antibiotics and which are life-threatening.

The drugs that can treat these infections include:

  • Fosfomycin
  • Polymyxins
  • Temocillin
  • Tigecycline
  • Aminoglycosides

Ceftazidime/avibactam is known to treat adults with severe intra-abdominal infections in combination with metronidazole. It can also treat serious UTIs and kidney infections which have inadequate or no other treatment options.

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