Many bacteria live in the human body. Some are completely safe for him, while others, when their number exceeds the norm, can cause significant damage to health. The latter include Klebsiella pneumonia. This microorganism is an integral part of the intestinal microflora, it takes part in the digestive processes. But under the influence of adverse factors, when its level rises, it can do much harm.
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What is Klebsiella pneumonia (Klebsiella pneumoniae)
Klebsiella pneumonia (Klebsiella pneumoniae) belongs to the category of gram-negative bacteria. The microorganism got its name by the name of the famous German scientist-microbiologist E. Klebs. But you can find another name - Friedlander’s wand.
This rod-shaped bacterium lives not only in the intestine, but also on the skin integuments and mucous membranes of the lungs. Outside the human body, it is found in soils and waters, as well as in products of plant origin. The microorganism is not equipped with flagella, which means its inability to move.
But at the same time, the Klebsiel bacterium of pneumonia can remain viable for a long time, being on the surfaces of various objects. And if the microorganism gets into the milk composition, then even when kept in cold it does not die, but continues to multiply intensively.To neutralize the bacterium, it must be at a temperature of -65 ℃ for at least an hour.
The microorganism is classified as opportunistic bacteria. This means that he can dwell in the human body for quite a while without causing him any damage. But under the influence of provoking factors, such as weakened immunity, prolonged stress, the acute stage of a chronic illness or intoxication, it manifests its harmful qualities.
On a note. Since 2017, WHO has included Klebsiella in the list of strains of particular danger. It lies in the fact that they are resistant to most antibacterial drugs. And if the drugs of this group are selected incorrectly during therapy, the stick mutates and spreads even more actively throughout the body.
What diseases does the bacterium cause?
Klebsiella is the causative agent of pneumonia in about 4-10% of cases of this disease. Moreover, pneumonia provoked by this particular bacterium is especially difficult. Also, under the influence of this microorganism, disorders occur in the nasopharynx and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
In addition, the stick can affect the mucosa in the digestive tract, as well as upset the balance of microflora. As a result, various digestive problems appear, including gastritis.
If the Friedlander’s wand “gets” to the genitourinary system, various violations are also possible here. And when it comes to babies or an elderly patient, then some types of Klebsiella, and there are seven of them, can affect the mucous membrane of the eyes, causing conjunctivitis.
But the most dangerous complications this microorganism can provoke are meningitis and sepsis. The latter occurs when pathogenic strains enter the bloodstream. Both of these conditions quite often lead to the death of the patient.
Routes of infection and risk groups
The main source of infection are people in whose body the content of a dangerous bacterium exceeded the permissible norm. Infection can occur by contact with such a patient. Pathogenic strains spread when he coughs or sneezes.
In addition, you can catch such an infection by eating poorly washed fruits, on the surface of which Klebsiella is present. And since the stick has the ability to exist for a long time on various pieces of furniture and household goods, it can enter the human body when ignoring the principles of hygiene or as a result of living in unsanitary conditions.
There are a number of factors that can provoke the development of the diseases that this microorganism causes. The risk group includes people with the following conditions:
- violations in the bronchopulmonary system;
- diabetes mellitus;
- disorders in the intestinal microflora (including due to the use of antibiotics);
- mucosal lesions;
- malignant tumors;
- exacerbated chronic diseases;
- immunocompromised;
- pathological blood loss.
In addition, people who have recently experienced an organ or tissue transplant operation are susceptible to infection. In such a situation, an increase in the Klebsiella level can be considered as an aggressive reaction of the body's defense system. And the effects of pathogenic bacteria are often unable to resist the immunity of an elderly person or child.
Once in the human body, Klebsiella releases enterotoxins and membranotoxins. The former have a detrimental effect on the mucous membranes in the intestine, while the latter destroy red blood cells, which leads to anemia.
Symptoms and signs of infection
Since Friedlander’s bacillus can cause various disorders in the body, the symptomatology depends on which organ or system it affected.
If the patient develops pneumonia, the symptoms will be as follows:
- body temperature rises to 39 ℃, a fever occurs;
- excessive sweating, as well as stench from the mouth;
- at the initial stage of the disease, a dry cough will arise, which will gradually turn into a productive one, while in the separated mass blood and purulent clots will be observed;
- the patient will feel severe weakness, drowsiness and powerlessness.
Attention! In this condition, one cannot delay a visit to the doctor, since pneumonia caused by Klebsiella leads to the death of the patient in almost 40% of cases. In addition, it is important to timely differentiate the disease provoked by this microorganism from other disorders in the respiratory system.
With lesions of the upper respiratory tract, the following symptoms are noted:
- the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx grows;
- there is congestion in the sinuses;
- fetid pus is secreted from the nostrils;
- temperature rises to 38 ℃;
- heavy nosebleeds are frequent.
When the gastrointestinal tract is affected, it declares itself:
- heartburn and nausea;
- periodic unbearable pains in the abdomen;
- loss of appetite and weight loss;
- the presence of blood and mucus in the feces, as well as the specific, “putrid” smell of the discharge;
- general weakness and loss of strength.
If the infection is concentrated in the genitourinary organs, the condition is characterized by the following symptoms:
- painful urination;
- increased urgency and increased volume of discharge;
- pains in the lower abdomen;
- the presence of blood in the urine;
- an increase in body temperature, sometimes very slight.
It is worth mentioning separately about signs of infection in children. Often they can be confused with dysbiosis, since the disease manifests itself with similar symptoms:
- flatulence and bloating;
- frequent spitting up;
- anxiety of the child due to colic;
- changes in stool when it becomes liquid, with a splash of mucus and blood;
- rare and scanty urination.
Diarrhea in babies is sometimes so intense that dehydration quickly sets in. The temperature may also rise. If you do not help the child on time, a very fatal outcome is very likely.
Diagnostic measures
To identify the level of bacteria in the patient’s body, feces, urine, mucus from the nasopharynx, bile and sputum are taken.
The following studies are conducted on these samples:
- bacterioscopy, which allows to recognize bacteria in the mass;
- bacteriological analysis, which is done to assess the response to culture;
- serological tests conducted on the patient’s blood.
Depending on the symptoms, additional diagnostic methods, often instrumental, can be prescribed. Let us consider various situations when Klebsiella is found in one or another mass taken for analysis.
Bacteria in the urine
For a long time, doctors believed that the presence of Klebsiella pneumonia in the urine is impossible, since it will not survive in this fluid. But recent studies have proven that such an opinion is erroneous.
When the bacterium is present in the urinary secretions, this may indicate a defeat of the entire system or talk about extensive sepsis.
Klebsiella pneumoniae smear
Smears can be taken from the pharynx or genitals in women, depending on the symptoms and the area of damage. After that, they are studied by microscopy and culture on a nutrient medium.
In the normal state of the body, rods are absent in these masses. If they were found in the nasopharynx fences, this indicates a problem in the upper respiratory tract. If microorganisms parasitize in vaginal secretions, their presence may indicate lesions of the genitourinary department.
Klebsiella in the feces of the baby
When signs of infection in a child are detected, diagnostic measures should be taken immediately, since Klebsiella is capable of provoking acute intoxication of the child's body.
To begin with, a general examination and history taking is carried out, and then the stool is prescribed for culture media.In addition, additional studies may be conducted.
When the bacterial content in the feces is more than acceptable, immediate treatment with the use of drugs of various groups is required.
Klebsiella pneumonia treatment
The following types of drugs are used to treat disease conditions caused by a dangerous bacterium:
- Bacteriophages. These medicines contain microorganisms that can destroy a certain type of bacteria. Such medications can be intended both for internal use in the form of tablets and capsules, and for local. In the latter case, the lesion sites, for example, the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx or on the genitals, are irrigated with liquid.
- Antibiotics. Despite the fact that Klebsiella is resistant to many substances of this group, there are drugs that can destroy it. Most often, these are compounds containing streptomycin, rondomycin, erythromycin and tetraolean.
- Probiotics These compounds allow you to restore normal microflora. The most commonly used drugs are Bifidumbacterin, Acipol or Probifor.
Further selection of medicines depends on which part of the body is most susceptible to the harmful effects of the stick. In especially severe cases, treatment can be supplemented with aminoglycosides and cardiotonic medicines. In such situations, the patient is kept only in the hospital, and it is advisable to allocate a separate box to him in order to avoid the spread of nosocomial infection.
Despite the treachery of the Klebsiella pneumonia bacterium, it is quite possible to cure the conditions that it causes, with the development of modern medicine. The main thing when detecting suspicious symptoms is not to postpone going to the doctor. In addition, the success of therapy depends largely on the qualifications of a specialist.
