Klebsiella species: guidance, data and analysis
The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Klebsiella species.
Klebsiella species are a Gram-negative rod shaped bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. They are commonly found in the environment and in the human intestinal tract (where they do not normally cause disease).
These species can cause a range of healthcare-associated infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections and meningitis. Acquired endogenously (from the patient’s own gut flora) or exogenously from the healthcare environment.
Patient to patient spread occurs through contaminated hands of healthcare workers or less commonly by contamination of the environment. Vulnerable patients, like the immune compromised, are most at risk. Infections can be associated with use of invasive devices or medical procedures.
Treatment
Klebsiella spp. can become resistant to a wide range of antibiotics through a variety of mechanisms for example, production of Extended-Spectrum Beta-lactamases or carbapenemase.
Prevention
Good hand hygiene practice in healthcare settings prevents the acquisition and spread of Klebsiella spp. Faecal contamination is how the bacteria is acquired and spread.
NICE antimicrobial stewardship guidance
Submit data
Epidemiology
From April 2017, the government extended the enhanced surveillance of bacteraemias caused by Gram-negative organisms to include Klebsiella spp. This supports the ambition to reduce infections by 50% by 2021. Read NHS Improvement’s plans to reduce these infections.
Patient-level data of any Klebsiella spp. bloodstream infections are reported monthly to UK Health Security Agency. Klebsiella spp. data is included in our mandatory surveillance publications from October 2017. See Gram-negative bacteraemia infections updates.
Updates to this page
Last updated 12 July 2018 + show all updates
-
Added annual Klebsiella spp. data.
-
First published.