Klebsiella species Frequently Asked Questions

What is Klebsiella?

Klebsiella are bacteria that belong to a group of bacteria called the Enterobacteriaceae family.

General questions about the Enterobacteriaceae family

Species of Klebsiella are commonly found in the environment and can colonise sites such as the skin or gastrointestinal tract in humans.

The most commonly isolated members of the Klebsiella family are Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca. It is most commonly found in hospitals where it can cause infection in the lungs (pneumonia). It can also cause urinary tract infections in catheterised patients, and is second only to E. coli as a cause of urinary tract infections.

How can it be treated? 

If people are carrying the bacteria in their gut (colonisation) but are not infected with it, it is not generally necessary to give treatment.

Klebsiella infections are treated with antibiotics such as cephalosporins, although the bacteria may become cephalosporin-resistant if the bacteria produces an ESBL.

There is concern over the growing resistance of this bacteria to a number of antibiotics.

Which antibiotics are these infections resistant to?

Ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime resistances appear to have increased in Klebsiella spp between 2000 and 2005.

Last reviewed: 3 July 2008