From the Guidelines
Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia most commonly originates from urinary tract infections, pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, and catheter-related infections, with a significant proportion being healthcare-associated. The sources of K. pneumoniae bacteremia can be diverse, but certain conditions stand out due to their frequency and association with this pathogen.
- Urinary tract infections, particularly in patients with urinary catheters, are a well-documented source of K. pneumoniae bacteremia, as the bacterium can colonize the urinary tract and then enter the bloodstream 1.
- Pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae, especially in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients, is another significant source, as the infection can spread from the lungs to the bloodstream.
- Intra-abdominal infections, such as liver abscesses or biliary tract infections, are also recognized sources of K. pneumoniae bacteremia, highlighting the bacterium's ability to infect various body sites.
- The role of intravascular devices, including central venous catheters, as potential entry points for K. pneumoniae, cannot be overlooked, especially in the context of healthcare-associated infections 1. It is crucial to consider these potential sources when evaluating a patient with K. pneumoniae bacteremia to determine the primary site of infection and guide appropriate treatment, taking into account the bacterium's increasing antibiotic resistance and its propensity to form biofilms on medical devices.
From the Research
Sources of Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia
- The hands of healthcare workers and the gastrointestinal tract of hospitalized infants serve as reservoirs for the transmission of Klebsiella pneumoniae and are responsible for multiple hospital outbreaks 2.
- Infections of medical devices such as urinary catheters are a major site of K. pneumoniae infections and have been suggested to involve the formation of biofilms on these surfaces 3.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen that commonly causes nosocomial infections in the urinary tract, respiratory tract, lung, wound sites, and blood in individuals with debilitating diseases 4.
- K. pneumoniae strains isolated from urine samples showed higher antimicrobial resistance, ESBL production, and biofilm-forming ability compared to those isolated from respiratory or blood samples 5.
- Klebsiella species cause infections at multiple sites, including lung, urinary tract, bloodstream, wound or surgical site, and brain, and are more likely to occur in people with preexisting health conditions 6.
Common Sites of Infection
- Urinary tract 3, 4, 5
- Respiratory tract 3, 4, 6
- Lung 4, 6
- Wound sites 4, 6
- Bloodstream 2, 4, 5, 6
- Brain 6