Klebsiella pneumoniae review

It is quite impossible to imagine how many different bacteria are present in our body normally without causing any disorder or disease. However, there are also bacteria which are harmful and which enter our body through some opening and then cause some ailment. One kind of the bacteria which belongs to the family of bacteria called Enterobacteriaceae that are normally present in the intestines in the humans and animals is Klebsiella. These bacteria are gram-negative and non-motile bacteria present everywhere and they induce the disease in the respiratory and intestinal tract but also in the urinogenital tract. Species of Klebsiella may cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, septicemia and degenerative inflammatory arthritis.

Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumonia belongs to the Klebsiella genus. It is an encapsulated bacterium which means that has a polysaccharide layer outside of the wall of the cell. Furthermore, it can be either aerobic, which means that it can live wit oxygen, or anaerobic, which means that it can live without oxygen. The natural sources of this bacterium are soil, water and vegetables.

Infections of Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Klebsiella Pneumoniae is the bacteria which causes pneumonia, which is the inflammation of the lungs. These bacteria may also be responsible for incidence of the urinary tract infection and abdominal infections. When urinary tract infection is in the question, next to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella Pneumonia is the bacteria which cause it in most cases.

There are people who are at higher risk to be affected by these bacteria and they are those with diabetes, fragile immune system and alcoholics as well as those who have some chronic lung disease.

Klebsiella pneumonia is usually known as hospital-acquired pneumonia since it usually develops in those who are hospitalized and rarely in those who are healthy.

Most common symptoms of Klebsiella pneumonia

The person who develops this type of pneumonia usually experience constant coughing while the phlegm is coughed up, fever and chills. Moreover, chest pain, problems with breathing and the symptoms which are characteristic for the flu.

In severe cases of Klebsielle pneumonia the pocket of pus may be formed and the pus may even form in the tissues around the lungs resulting in the formation of scar tissue.

Treatment for Klebsiella pneumonia

This type of pneumonia is very difficult to treat since it can recur and last for a long period of time. However, because it is caused by the bacteria it is treated with antibiotics like aminoglycosides and bactericidals.