Micro| Klebsiella Pneumoniae

3.28 Klebsiella Pneumoniae  Microbiology review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Klebsiella pneumoniae is a lactose-fermenting, gram-negative bacilli that causes pneumonia and is part of the normal GI flora in humans. It causes infection when introduced to the respiratory tract and is commonly found in hospitals, making it a common cause of nosocomial pneumonia. Risk factors for klebsiella pneumonia include alcoholism and diabetes. Symptoms of klebsiella pneumonia include cough, fever, pleuritic chest pain, and shortness of breath, as well as rust-colored "currant jelly" sputum and cavitary lesions in the lungs. Klebsiella can also cause urinary tract infections, especially in hospital settings. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but resistance testing may be necessary due to the bug's high antibiotic resistance