Klebsiella pneumoniae
From DrugPedia: A Wikipedia for Drug discovery
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, non-motile, encapsulated, lactose fermenting, facultative anaerobic, rod shaped bacterium found in the normal flora of the mouth, skin, and intestines.
| Kingdom | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Proteobacteria |
| Class | Gamma Proteobacteria |
| Order | Enterobacteriales |
| Family | Enterobacteriaceae |
| Genus | Klebsiella |
| Species | K. pneumoniae |
| Binomial | Klebsiella pneumoniae |
Contents |
[edit] Surface Characteristics
Members of the Klebsiella genus typically express 2 types of antigens on their cell surface. The first, O antigen, is a component of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), of which 9 varieties exist. The second is K antigen, a capsular polysaccharide with more than 80 varieties. Both contribute to pathogenicity and form the basis for serogrouping.
[edit] Transmission
Many of these infections are obtained when a person is in the hospital for some other reason (a nosocomial infection). The most common infection caused by Klebsiella bacteria outside the hospital is pneumonia.
[edit] Pathogenic Activity
K. pneumoniae can cause the disease Klebsiella pneumonia. Klebsiella ranks second to E. coli for urinary tract infections in older persons. It is also an opportunistic pathogen for patients with chronic pulmonary disease, enteric pathogenicity, nasal mucosa atrophy, and rhinoscleroma.
