Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii
09:17

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

Published on: January 2, 2017

Community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia: global differences in clinical patterns

Wen-Chien Ko1, David L Paterson, Anthanasia J Sagnimeni

  • 1National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Taiwan.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia patterns vary globally. While community-acquired pneumonia is historically linked, this study found it rare in Western countries but common in South Africa and Taiwan, often associated with alcoholism and liver abscesses.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant pathogen, historically associated with community-acquired pneumonia.
  • Global variations in Klebsiella pneumoniae infection patterns require elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diverse clinical presentations and geographic distribution of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia.
  • To explore associations between Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, alcoholism, and specific syndromes like liver abscess.

Main Methods:

  • A worldwide collaborative study analyzing 455 episodes of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia.
  • Comparative analysis of infection patterns across different geographic regions (US, Argentina, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Taiwan).
  • Statistical evaluation of the association between Klebsiella pneumoniae and alcoholism.

Main Results:

  • Community-acquired bacteremic K. pneumoniae pneumonia was infrequent in Western countries but common in South Africa and Taiwan (53 cases).
  • A significant association between K. pneumoniae pneumonia and alcoholism was observed in South Africa and Taiwan (p=0.007).
  • A distinct syndrome of K. pneumoniae bacteremia with liver abscess, meningitis, or endophthalmitis occurred in 25 cases, predominantly in Taiwan.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical patterns of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia exhibit significant geographic variation.
  • Alcoholism is a key risk factor for K. pneumoniae pneumonia in specific regions like South Africa and Taiwan.
  • A unique K. pneumoniae infection syndrome, often involving liver abscess, is prevalent in Taiwan.

More Related Videos

Separating Bacteria by Capsule Amount Using a Discontinuous Density Gradient05:52

Separating Bacteria by Capsule Amount Using a Discontinuous Density Gradient

Published on: January 7, 2019

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression07:30

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

Published on: June 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...