klebsiella

kleb·si·el·la

K5087650 (klĕb′zē-ĕl′ə)n. A nonmotile, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Klebsiella, such as K. pneumoniae, that causes pneumonia and other infections usually in patients with diminished immunity, such as diabetics and alcoholics.

[New Latin, genus name, after Edwin Klebs (1834-1913), German-American pathologist born in Königsberg (Kaliningrad).]

klebsiella

(ˌklɛbzɪˈɛlə) n (Microbiology) a Gram-negative bacteria found in the respiratory, intestinal, and urinogenital tracts of humans and animals, which can cause pneumonia and urinary infections[C20: after Edwin Klebs (1834–913), German bacteriologist]

Thesaurus

Noun

klebsiella - a genus of nonmotile rod-shaped Gram-negative enterobacteria; some cause respiratory and other infectionsenteric bacteria, enterics, enterobacteria, entric - rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria; most occur normally or pathogenically in intestines of humans and other animalsgenus Klebsiella - a genus of bacteria

Translations

Klebsiella

A genus of gram-negative, nonmotile bacteria. Characteristic large mucoid colonies are due to production of a large amount of capsular material. Species of Klebsiella are commonly found in soil and water, on plants, and in animals and humans. Harmless strains of Klebsiella are beneficial because they fix nitrogen in soil. Pathogenic species include K. pneumoniae, K. rhinoscleromatis, and K. ozaenae, also known as K. pneumoniae subspecies pneumoniae, rhinoscleromatis, and ozaenae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the second most frequently isolated colon-related bacterium in clinical laboratories. The carbohydrate-containing capsule of Klebsiella promotes virulence by protecting the encased bacteria from ingestion by leukocytes; nonencapsulated variants of Klebsiella do not cause disease. Capsular types 1 and 2 cause pneumonia; types 8, 9, 10, and 24 are commonly associated with urinary tract infections. See Escherichia, Pneumonia

Klebsiella accounts for a large percentage of hospital-acquired infections, mostly skin infections (in immunocompromised burn patients), bacteremia, and urinary tract infections. It is also the most common contaminant of intravenous fluids such as glucose solutions and other medical devices.

Klebsiella may produce E. coli-like enterotoxins and cause acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Enteric illnesses due to Klebsiella are more predominant where populations are more crowded and conditions less sanitary. Other virulence factors of Klebsiella include a relatively high ability to survive and multiply outside the host in a variety of environments, and its relatively simple growth requirements. See Endotoxin

Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis causes rhinoscleroma, a chronic destructive granulomatous disease of the upper respiratory tract that is most common in eastern Europe, central Africa, and tropical South America. Klebsiella ozaenae is one cause of chronic rhinitis (ozena), a destructive atrophy of the nasal mucosa, and is infrequently isolated from urinary tract infections and bacteremia. See Medical bacteriology

Klebsiella

a genus of capsular nonsporiferous bacteria, the typical representative of which is Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Friedländer’s bacillus, a rodlike (0.3–0.5 × 5 microns) organism that occurs singly or in pairs and is nonmotile, gram-negative, and forms a mucous capsule.

Klebsiella pneumoniae grows well on ordinary nutrient media. On solid media it forms round, convex, shiny, mucoid colonies. It ferments glucose, saccharose, and lactose, forming acid and gas; it does not liquefy gelatin; it sours but does not curdle milk; it does not form either hydrogen sulfide or indole; and it reduces nitrates. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a facultative aerobe. Its optimal growth temperature is 37°C. It inhabits the nasal, oral, and intestinal mucosae of healthy persons, but it is conditionally pathogenic and may produce pneumonia in man. Other Klebsiella produce rhinoscleroma and ozena. Klebsiella cause klebsielloses in many farm animals.

A. A. IMSHENETSKII

Klebsiella

[‚kleb·zē′el·ə] (microbiology) A genus of bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae; nonmotile, encapsulated rods arranged singly, in pairs, or in chains; some species are human pathogens.

Klebsiella

[kleb″se-al´ah] a genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria that are widely distributed in nature and commonly found in the intestinal tract. They are a frequent cause of nosocomial urinary and pulmonary infections and wound infections. Species include K. pneumo´niae (also called K. friedlän´deri), the etiologic agent of Friedländer's pneumonia; K. pneumo´niae ozae´nae, which occurs in ozena and other respiratory diseases; and K. rhinosclero´matis, a species isolated from patients with rhinoscleroma.

Klebsiella

(kleb'sē-el'ă), A genus of aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, nonmotile, non-spore-forming bacteria (family Enterobacteriaceae) containing gram-negative, encapsulated rods that occur singly, in pairs, or in short chains. These organisms produce acetylmethylcarbinol and lysine decarboxylase or ornithine decarboxylase. They do not usually liquefy gelatin. Citrate and glucose are ordinarily used as sole carbon sources. These organisms may or may not be pathogenic. They occur in the respiratory, intestinal, and urogenital tracts of humans as well as in soil, water, and grain. The type species is Klebsiella pneumoniae. [E. Klebs]

klebsiella

(klĕb′zē-ĕl′ə)n. A nonmotile, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Klebsiella, such as K. pneumoniae, that causes pneumonia and other infections usually in patients with diminished immunity, such as diabetics and alcoholics.

Kleb·si·el·la

(kleb-sē-el'ă) A genus of aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, nonmotile, non-spore-forming bacteria (family Enterobacteriaceae) containing gram-negative, encapsulated rods that occur singly, in pairs, or in short chains. These organisms produce acetylmethylcarbinol and lysine decarboxylase or ornithine decarboxylase; they do not usually liquefy gelatin. Citrate and glucose are ordinarily used as sole carbon sources. These organisms may or may not be pathogenic. They occur in the respiratory, intestinal, and urogenital tracts of humans as well as in soil, water, and grain. The type species is K. pneumoniae. [E. Klebs]

Klebs,

Theodor Albrecht Edwin, German physician, 1834-1913. Klebsiella - a genus of bacteria (family Enterobacteriaceae) that occurs in the respiratory, intestinal, and urogenital tracts of humans as well as in soil, water, and grain.Klebs diseaseKlebs-Loeffler bacillus - a species that causes diphtheria and produces a powerful exotoxin causing degeneration of various tissues, notably myocardium. Synonym(s): Corynebacterium diphtheriaeKlebsiella oxytocaKlebsiella pneumoniae - Synonym(s): Friedländer bacillus

Patient discussion about Klebsiella

Q. What is KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE 0.00 A. Klebsiella is a bacteria that can cause different types of infections such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia, and is considered a not very common pathogen among patients in the community (meaning outside the hospital). It is known as a pathogen that attacks hospitalized patients at a higher frequency and needds good antibiotic treatment.

Q. Are superbugs contagious through the air? Last week we visited my dad in the hospital, and we noticed that on the next room’s door there was a warning sign. After asking, we were told it was a denoting that the patient inside had a superbug (called klebsiella). On our way out we passed against this patient in the hallway – is it possible that I also carry this superbag? Is it dangerous?A. Usually these bacteria are transmitted from person to person through direct contact, and less through the air. Moreover, these germs are dangerous in ill and debilitated patients, and not in normal healthy individuals.

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Words related to klebsiella

noun a genus of nonmotile rod-shaped Gram-negative enterobacteria

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