pneumoniae Fact Sheet

Antibiotic-resistant is now one of the most common nosocomial and is intrinsically resistant to many common . Given this ’s inherent resistance to most antibiotics, it has led to many becoming untreatable.

General Information

Bacteriology Clinical manifestations Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative, facultative The most common healthcare-associated anaerobe, meaning it can survive in oxygenic or anoxic infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae include conditions. It is a non-motile, fermenting, rod- , , wound or shaped bacteria surrounded by a capsule that helps to surgical site infections, and . Patients increase its virulence and protects it from dessication. who require devices like ventilators, intravenous Klebsiella pneumoniae is normally present in the and those taking broad-spectrum human intestines, and feces without causing disease. antibiotics are most at risk for Klebsiella infections. Some resistant forms of Klebsiella pneumoniae are treatment puts patients at an even high able to produce an enzyme known as a risk for because of the already disrupted carbapenemase which makes them resistant to the normal flora of the bacteria in the body, making class of antibiotics called . them more susceptible to pathogens. Unfortunately, antibiotics are often the last line of defense against Gram-negative infections If a patient has been diagnosed with a Klebsiella- like Klebsiella pneumoniae. related illness, they must follow the treatment regimen prescribed by the healthcare provider. If an antibiotic is prescribed, patients must take it exactly as the healthcare provider has instructed. Patients must complete the prescribed course of medication, even if symptoms are gone.

Epidemiology of transmission Basic Prevention Klebsiella pneumonia is spread through person-to- Hand hygiene is of the utmost importance for the person contact, or less commonly by environmental elimination of antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella contamination. In healthcare settings, patients may pneumoniae transmission. Hands should always be also be exposed to Klebsiella pneumonia when they washed thoroughly after using the bathroom and are on ventilators, or have intravenous catheters or before preparing food as well as after contact with wounds. persons who have a Klebsiella infection. Alcohol- based hand sanitizers containing ≥62% ethanol Antibiotic exposure plays an important role in the may be helpful in addition to routine hand hygiene transmission of Klebsiella pneumonia. People who but should be used as a replacement for washing have been previously treated with antibiotics are at with soap and water. the highest risk for developing this infection.

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Klebsiella pneumoniae Fact Sheet

Infection Prevention and Control Measures

Healthcare Prevention Measures Environmental Control Measures In addition to Routine / Standard Precautions, Contact Klebsiella pneumoniae can grow well on Precautions should be implemented with patients environmental surfaces as well as surface water, who are suspected or confirmed to have an antibiotic- sewage, soil, and on plants, where they can survive resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection: for extended periods of time. • Patients with suspected or confirmed Klebsiella pneumoniae may be placed in -grade cleaning and disinfecting agents are private rooms or cohort with other patients sufficient for environmental cleaning of surfaces with the same infection. suspected to be contaminated with antibiotic- • Follow hand-hygiene guidelines by either resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. All horizontal and carefully washing hands with soap and water frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned or using Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers (ABHS) twice daily and when soiled. The healthcare after contact with infected patients. organization’s terminal cleaning protocol for • Use gowns and gloves when in contact with, cleaning of the patient’s room following discharge, or caring for patients who are symptomatic transfer or discontinuation of Contact Precautions with Klebsiella pneumoniae for all interactions should be followed. All patient care equipment that may involve contact with the patient or (e.g., thermometers, blood pressure cuff, pulse potentially contaminated areas in the oximeter, etc.) should be dedicated to the use of patient’s environment. one patient. All patient care equipment should be • Dedicated equipment for patient care should cleaned and disinfected as per Routine / Standard be utilized whenever possible (disposable Practices before reuse with another patient or a stethoscopes, thermometers, BP cuffs, etc). single use device should be used and discarded in • Limit the type and amount of supplies a waste receptacle after use. Toys, electronic entering the room and dispose of all unused games or personal effects should not be shared by items at patient discharge patients.

References:

1. Klebsiella pneumoniae in Healthcare Settings https://www.cdc.gov/HAI/organisms/klebsiella/klebsiella.html 2. Klebsiella pneumoniae https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/1/12-0310_article 3. Safety Data Sheet http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/klebsiella-eng.php

2770 Coventry Road Oakville, Ontario L6H 6R1 Tel: 1-800-387-7578 Fax: (905)813-0220 www.infectionpreventionresource.com