Picture 26
This picture shows Klebsiella pneumoniae grown in MacConkey's agar. Note the mucoid appearance of the bacteria.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Morphology: Gram negative cocci that ferment lactose, has a very large capsule which gives it a mucoid appearance
Route of transmission: Fomites, aerosol
Investigations: Gram stain, organism cultured on MacConkey's agar
Diseases:
Lower respiratory tract infections (likely to progress to empyema and lung abscess)
Urinary tract infections
Surgical wound infections
Treatment:
Due to varied antibiotic resistance, gentamicin and cefotaxime are used empirically until results of sensitivity tests are known. Usually treatment consists of an aminoglycoside and a cephalosporin to produce synergistic effects.