What is Klebsiella pneumoniae?

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacteria that is commonly found in the gut of humans and can cause a variety of infections such as skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), meningitis, pneumonia and bloodstream infections in both community and hospital settings (refer to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)). This bacterium can be spread through person-to-person contact or through contaminated hands of healthcare personnel, or other persons. This pathogen has developed antimicrobial resistance to all commonly used beta-lactam antibiotics and to other classes of antimicrobial agents including carbapenems, which are sometimes considered a last resort for treatment of K. pneumoniae infections. Refer to carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE).