Definition:

Klebsiella is a gram-negative bacterium of Enterobacteriaceae, which has emerged as an important cause of hospital-acquired infections. Infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing pathogens, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, are increasing. ESBL are plasmid-mediated enzymes and these plasmids also carry resistance genes to other antibiotics including aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, and tetracycline. Thus, Gram-negative bacilli containing these plasmids are multidrug-resistant. Klebsiella pneumoniae can cause sepsis, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections. Bloodstream infections with Klebsiella markedly increase the rates of treatment failure and death.