Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Klebsiella Pneumoniae ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Category: Health > Conditions and Diseases
Asked by: hilda18-ga
List Price: $8.00
Posted: 15 Mar 2004 19:38 PST
Expires: 14 Apr 2004 20:38 PDT
Question ID: 317137
My mother-in-law was just diagnosed with a post surgical infection
caused by the K. P. bacteria.  This is resulting from hernia surgery
that she had over a month ago, and is the 4th such infection.  It
seems to me that this is a very serious type of infection, and I'm
trying to find out whatever I can about exactly what it is and how it
should be treated.  They have determined that she is allergic to
Penicillin.  Should that affect her course of treatment?  I would
appreciate any information that you can give me on that particular
type of infection and its treatment.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Answered By: crabcakes-ga on 15 Mar 2004 21:33 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hello Hilda18,

Klebsiella pneumoniae can indeed be a serious infection! This mean
little bacteria can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and
septicemia-a blood infection, sometimes mistakenly called ?blood
poisoning?.  K.pneumoniae actually commonly live, as normal flora, in
the respiratory tract, and the nasal passages of many people, with no
adverse effects. However, this germ is an aggressive opportunist,
known for attacking folks with an already weakened immune system, such
as diabetics, burn patients, post-surgical patients, and patients with
chronic lung disease.

People who have had surgery, or are suffering from another infection,
are more prone to K.pneumoniae, and it?s a common nosocomial
infection. (Acquired while in the hospital) Not only does this
bacteria cause infections, it produces a powerful enterotoxin, which
is a type of poison that can cause organ failure, shock, DIC (a
serious coagulation problem), and even death.

K. pneumoniae also like to take advantage of patients with an easy
port of entry! They often use tubing as a mode of
transportation-tubing such as a breathing tube, or a urinary catheter.

Under the microscope, Klebsiella pneumoniae appears as Gram-negative
rods. (Gram stain is how clinical scientists differentiate bacterial
species)
Here?s how K. pneumoniae looks under the microscope-the small pink
cigar shapes are the bacteria.
http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/internalmedicine/PulmonaryCoreCurric/InvasivePneumonia/Slide5.html

Klebsiella bacteria are usually resistant to many antibiotics,
including  penicillin. Doctors will sometimes treat a patient with two
different antibiotics in an effort to stop a K.pneumoniae infection.
In order to determine which antibiotic is the best, a culture of the
infected area is taken with a sterile swab. Often, a catheter tip of a
piece of breathing tube is submitted for culture. Sputum and urine are
also samples that can be cultured.

The organisms are then ?grown? in the lab, and looked at under the
microscope for identification.  Further chemical tests are run on the
cultured ?bugs? to confirm their identity.

The next test, and an important one, is called ?sensitivities?. This
tests the organism for resistance and susceptibility to antibiotics.
This very interesting test, called the Kirby-Bauer method, uses a
large agar plate, evenly streaked with the offending bacteria. Then
antibiotic coated discs are placed on the plate. The plate is allowed
to incubate 24-48 hours. The bacteria will grow up to the antibiotic
discs, if it is resistant(not killed) to that antibiotic. If the
organism is sensitive (can be killed by the antibiotic), there will be
a ring of no bacterial growth around the antibiotic disc. A report
goes to the doctor, with the source of the culture (urine, sputum,
etc.) and to which antibiotics the bacteria is resistant and sensitive
to. Sometimes the doctor will treat the patient with the antibiotic
that typically works on most people, however an antibiotic that treats
one patient?s K.pneumoniae may not be effective on another patient.
For this reason, a doctor will change the prescribed antibiotic to
another, after getting back the lab culture and sensitivity report.
See a picture of antibiotic sensitivity testing here
University of Maryland
Antibiotics of choice for K.pneumoniae are Amikacin,  cephalosporin
and  gentamicin, with cephalosporins being the most commonly
prescribed.
University of Florida, School of Medicine
http://www.medinfo.ufl.edu/year2/mmid/bms5300/bugs/klebpne.html


Here is a picture of K. pneumoniae growing on an agar plate,
formulated to grow K. pneumoniae and not other organisms.
http://www.cat.cc.md.us/courses/bio141/labmanua/lab13/xldkleb.html

It is very important for your mother-in-law to be treated properly for
this infection. If she is being treated while in the hospital, it is
imperative that she have culture and sensitivities run, then treated
with the appropriate antibiotics, even two antibiotics. If she is
treated on an outpatient basis, she MUST finish all the antibiotics
prescribed, at the correct times. Some antibiotic must be taken with
food, or NOT taken with dairy products. Your pharmacist can give you
advice as to how to best take prescribed antibiotics. If your
pharmacist does not explain, ask for the package insert, and read all
the advice for taking and completing all the medication.

I?m not saying this is so in your mother-in-law?s case, but often a
patient will feel better a few days after starting an antibiotic
regimen, and quit taking the remaining medication. This causes the
weaker organisms to die off, but leaves the stronger ones to
reproduce, and become resistant to that antibiotic. What you get then
is a super-infection, one that is harder to fight. Good nutrition,
plenty of rest, and drinking a lot of water and juice will help your
mother-in-law fight off this K.pneumoniae infection.
Parent Soup http://www.parentsoup.com/experts/ped/qas/0,,200532_417026,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=1&pba=adid=7530367

Hope this helps you out! I wish your mother-in-law the best!

If any part of this answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating. This will allow me to assist you
further, if possible.

Regards,
Crabcakes

Search terms
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Personal knowledge -I love microbiology!
hilda18-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $2.50
Thanks so much for a very fast and informative answer.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Klebsiella Pneumoniae
From: crabcakes-ga on 16 Mar 2004 09:23 PST
 
Thank you! I'm glad I was of help. The stars and the tip are both appreciated!
Sincerely,
crabcakes

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy