Klebsiella ozaenae Bacteremia in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Transplantation Medicine
• Microbiology

Background:

• Infections are a significant complication following solid organ transplantation.
• Unusual microorganisms can cause severe infections in immunocompromised patients.
• Klebsiella ozaenae typically colonizes the nasopharyngeal mucosa and rarely causes severe disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of Klebsiella ozaenae bacteremia in a long-term kidney transplant recipient.
• To highlight the potential for unusual pathogens to cause severe infections in transplant patients.
• To contribute to the limited literature on Klebsiella ozaenae bloodstream infections.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 73-year-old kidney transplant recipient.
• Isolation of Klebsiella ozaenae from blood cultures.
• Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome documentation.
• Evaluation of the patient's sinonasal cavity.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with high-grade fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Klebsiella ozaenae was identified as the causative agent of bacteremia.
• The patient showed a prompt clinical response to antibiotic therapy and recovered fully.
• No sinonasal abnormalities were found during subsequent evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Klebsiella ozaenae can cause severe bloodstream infections in solid organ transplant recipients, even on minimal immunosuppression.
• This case represents a novel occurrence of Klebsiella ozaenae bacteremia in a transplant recipient.
• Prompt diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in such rare infections.