What Is Klebsiella Oxytoca?
- Written By: Helga George
- Edited By: Michelle Arevalo
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2003-2013 Conjecture Corporation
Klebsiella oxytoca is a type of bacterium that is frequently spread in intensive care units or nursing homes. It is closely related to Klebsiella pneumonia. Both are rod-shaped, gram-negative bacteria that cause similar types of diseases. They are typically found in the intestinal tract, where they are part of a healthy colon’s ecosystem. The bacteria can spread to other parts of the body, however, and cause life-threatening diseases.
People who become infected with this bacteria are primarily those whose immune systems are not functioning well. Such organisms are known as opportunistic pathogens. Many of these infections occur in patients who are hospitalized for some other reason, and the bacteria can be easily spread on the hands of hospital workers. People who are particularly susceptible include those with diseases such as alcoholism, diabetes, and chronic bronchopulmonary disease. Other at-risk patients are those who have had organ or stem cell transplants, or who have undergone general surgery.
Additional risk factors include the use of a catheter or feeding tube, which can allow the bacteria to enter the body and bypass its defense mechanisms. The widespread use of antibiotics in hospitals has led to the development of multi-drug resistant strains of Klebsiella that are highly virulent and spread rapidly. Medical professionals usually immediately start treatment when an infection is suspected, and they will generally culture the organism to determine the most effective antibiotics to use.
Neonatal units, or specialized wings for babies, are becoming an area of particular concern with Klebsiella oxytoca. In the United States, it is among the top four pathogens causing disease in these units. This is especially true for premature babies.
One systemic disease that can be caused by this strain of bacteria is bacteremia, which is when the bacteria colonize the blood and spread throughout the body. It can lead to septic shock and be fatal. The bacteria is most widely known for causing urinary tract infections. Such infections can spread to the kidneys and lead to renal failure. If the disease progresses to this stage, it can also be life threatening.
Both species of this bacteria can live inside the nose without causing any symptoms. From there, they can be carried into the lungs. This can lead to very serious cases of pneumonia, which is the most common disease caused by these bacteria outside of a hospital. One classic symptom of this type of pneumonia is coughing up mucus known as currant jelly sputum because of its appearance: it is often thick and mingled with blood. Mortality with this condition is fairly high due to a combination of the severity of the pneumonia and the poor health status of the individuals who typically contract it.
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lluviaporos
Post 8 |
@clintflint - Well, yes and no. I'm sure all the people who had had contact with her would have completely decontaminated themselves. And really, when you think about the premature babies and elderly people that could be effected by that bacteria, I think it's appropriate to take what precautions they can, even if it's too late. It does suck for your mother, of course, since it's bad enough to be in hospital without something like that happening. But you can't really blame the hospital for that. |
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clintflint
Post 7 |
It's interesting the kinds of things doctors do and don't do in order to protect patients from these kinds of bacteria. My mother was in the hospital wit chest pains a few months ago and she waited in an open ward for hours, as doctors and nurses clucked over her and handled her and so forth. Then they found out she had recently been in another hospital which was known for having one of the antibiotic resistant bacteria, it might have been k. pneumoniae. Immediately, she was pushed upstairs, given her own, extremely run-down room and no one came to visit her from that moment on. They took swabs an told her that if the cultures came back clear (in three days!) she would be allowed access to the rest of the hospital again. I mean, I get it, they can't take risks, but they'd all already touched her. Surely the damage was already done!
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Mor
Post 6 |
@anon251880 - I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you don't blame yourself. Unfortunately, sometimes things like this happen and there's nothing you can do to prevent it. Life is still so precious, even with all our medical advancements.
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anon251880
Post 5 |
My baby Brandon, was born 5 1/2 weeks premature. He was doing great, gaining weight, and was only in the NICU for nine days. At seven weeks old we took a trip to Utah and he caught the airborne bacteria called Klebsiella Oxytoca Septicemia. It was only in his system for 12 hours or less, but caused his blood vessels to burst, his lungs filled up with blood and the doctors could not save him. He passed away. |
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anon164595
Post 4 |
My son was born six weeks premature but was at a healthy weight of 5lbs 4 oz. I was able to take him home at three days old as there were not any complications. At one week he was jaundiced and not eating well. His bilirubin was at 19 so he was admitted to the pediatric unit. Turned out he was septic with the klebsiella gram negative rods. Our pediatrician said he probably would not have made it through the night had I not brought him in when I did. After 12 days in the hospital on IV antibiotics we were able to go home. Today he is a healthy 13 year old boy. |
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KittenTucker
Post 3 |
I knew someone who had a urinary tract infection that was caused by the Klebsiella bacteria. She got it from a catheter that she had to have placed in her urinary tract. She was put on antibiotics and the infection went away in about three days, which was good because the doctor told her she may have to take them for about 21 days depending on how quickly the infection responded to the antibiotics. |
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moonTiger
Post 2 |
@JillT – Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment may start with antibiotics given intravenously in the hospital. If the patient responds quickly to intravenous therapy, then they can be switched to oral antibiotics. |
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JillT
Post 1 |
Can anybody tell me what kind of treatment is used to treat klebsiella pneumonia? |
