Klebsiella Pneumonia Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the infection is done in two ways

• Gram stain and culture

• Conducting a battery of tests to determine biochemical properties is required to identify the species

Klebsiella Pneumonia Treatment

• Although prevention of hospital acquired infections is difficult, meticulous hand washing best way to minimize transmission.

• As yet, vaccines or hyperimmune sera are not available

• Gram-negative bacilli have developed a resistance to drugs; These organisms easily acquire multiple drug resistance by transmission of resistance plasmids (R-plasmids); global problems with resistance to third generation cephalosporins is being caused by the emergence of coliforms with chromosomal or plasmid-encoded extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) activity. the transfer of resistant genes is permitted by certain conjugative resistance plasmids among species that usually don’t exchange chromosomal DNA.

• Systemic infections could be effectively treated with, amikin, tobramycin, imipenem ticarcillin/clavulate, , aztreonam, gentamicin and a variety of third generation cephalosporins. However, drug susceptibility tests would be required before administering these medications

• Recommendations of Sanford include: fluoroquinolones and parenteral 3rd generation cephalosporin. Some alternatives are ticarcillin/clavulanate (Timentin), anti-pseudomonal aminoglycosides, piperacillin/tazobactam (Zosyn), ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn).