Klebsiella

A group of bacteria normally living in the intestinal tract and frequently the cause of nosocomial infections (infections acquired in the hospital). Named for Dr. Klebs.

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A genus of aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, nonmotile, nonsporeforming bacteria (family Enterobacteriaceae) containing Gram-negative, encapsulated rods which 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]

- K. mobilis SYN: Enterobacter aerogenes.

- K. oxytoca a species characterized by its ability to produce indole. Clinically it resembles K. pneumoniae; however, nosocomial strains tend to exhibit a greater propensity to develop antibiotic resistance.

- K. ozaenae a bacterial species that occurs in cases of ozena and other chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. SYN: K. pneumoniae ozaenae.

- K. pneumoniae a bacterial species found in soil and water, on grain, and in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals; it also occurs in association with several pathologic conditions, urinary tract infections, sputum, feces, and metritis in mares; capsular types 1, 2, and 3 of this organism may be causative agents in pneumonia; organisms previously identified as nonmotile strains of Aerobacter aerogenes are now placed in this species; it is the type species of K.. SYN: Friedländer bacillus, pneumobacillus.

- K. pneumoniae ozaenae SYN: K. ozaenae.

- K. rhinoscleromatis a bacterial species found in cases of rhinoscleroma.

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kleb·si·el·la .kleb-zē-'el-ə n

1) cap a genus of nonmotile gram-negative rod-shaped and frequently encapsulated bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae that include causative agents of respiratory and urinary infections see PNEUMOBACILLUS

2) any bacterium of the genus Klebsiella

Klebs 'klāps (Theodor Albrecht) Edwin (1834-1913)

German bacteriologist. Klebs is notable for his work on the bacterial theory of infection. During the Franco-Prussian War he made one of the first comprehensive studies of the pathology and bacteriology of gunshot wounds. He investigated tuberculosis throughout his career, and in 1873 he successfully produced tuberculosis in cattle. He also did research on the bacteriology of malaria and anthrax. In 1883 he made his most important discovery: the causative organism of diphtheria, now known as the Klebs-Löffler bacillus.

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n.

a genus of Gram-negative rodlike nonmotile bacteria, mostly lactose-fermenting, found in the respiratory, intestinal, and urinogenital tracts of animals and humans. The species K. oxytoca is associated with human urinary infections; K. pneumoniae is associated with pneumonia and other respiratory infections. The species K. rhinoscleromatis causes rhinoscleroma, a chronic infection of the nose and pharynx.

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Kleb·si·el·la (kleb″se-elґə) [T.A.E. Klebs] a genus of bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, made up of small, gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, nonmotile rods, usually occurring singly; they are widely distributed in nature, including in the intestines. They are a frequent cause of nosocomial urinary and pulmonary infections and of wound infections. The type species is K. pneumoґniae.