K. pneumoniae, K. ozaenae and K.rhinoscleromatis

• Normal flora of the mouth, skin, and intestines

• Two types of antigens on their cell surfaces.
• 1. O antigen, is a component of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), of which 9 varieties exist
• 2. K antigen, a capsular polysaccharide with more than 80 varieties.
• Both contribute to pathogenicity and form the basis for serogrouping

1. Chronic alcoholics
2. Diabetics
3. Chronic lung disease

• Klebsiella pneumoniae is a well-recognized cause of community-acquired lobar pneumonia associated with cavitation
• It is found typically in alcoholic males over 40 years of age with underlying diabetes or obstructive lung disease.
• Consolidation Pattern-Lobar Consolidation
• Positive air bronchogram sign
• Lobe predilection-Commonly involves posterior segment of the rightupper lobe (Bulging fissure sign)
• Abscess formation rare but more common than streph
• Pleural effusion common (empyema)
• Cavitation is common
• Pneumatoceles may be seen (These are multiple thin walled air containing cysts.)
• Bulging fissures in lungs is seen

• Used to detect acetoin in a bacterial broth culture.
• The test is performed by adding alpha-naphthol and potassium hydroxide to the Voges-Proskauer broth which has been inoculated with bacteria.
• It is most commonly seen in cases of Klebsiella Pneumoniae.

Treatment

• Causes atrophic rhinitis (Ozaena)
• Associated with laryngitis sicca/Laryngitis atrophica which is common in females

• Causes rhinoscleroma