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Klebsiella is a dangerous bacterium that is resistant to almost all types of antibiotics and is extremely difficult to treat. It can lead to the development of a severe form of pneumonia, sepsis, and ultimately death.
Klebsiella – what is it?
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium from the group of facultative anaerobes. Enterobacteria is named after the scientist Edwin Klebs. One of its six varieties was discovered in 1882 by the German scientist Friedlander, so it has a second “name” – Friedlander’s wand.
A person with a strong immune system has Klebsiella in the intestines, in the mouth, in the vagina, as part of a healthy microflora. In a small amount, the microbe is present on the skin. With a decrease in the body’s defenses, the bacterium can begin uncontrolled reproduction, which causes complications.
Ways of transmission of “super bacteria”
The bacterium is transmitted by alimentary and airborne droplets. In the first case, it enters the body with poorly processed foods. Having penetrated the digestive system, the microbe is activated, provoking signs of food poisoning.
The airborne distribution mechanism is the leading one. An infected person releases many germs into the environment during coughs and sneezes. The patient becomes contagious during the acute period of pneumonia. As her symptoms subside, the risk of transmission decreases.
target organs
First of all, the lungs and organs of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) suffer from Klebsiella. Damage to the nasopharynx and tonsils is not excluded. Less commonly, the microbe is introduced into the mucous membrane of the organs of the genitourinary system.
If the bacterium is activated in several body systems at once, then the human condition deteriorates sharply. With a large-scale lesion, it penetrates into all mucous membranes, including the brain, conjunctiva and blood.
Diseases caused by Klebsiella
Depending on the organ that affected Klebsiella pneumonia, the diseases caused by it will differ:
Acute gastritis;
Enteritis;
Acute bronchitis and pneumonia;
Rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis;
bacterial conjunctivitis;
Inflammation of the brain;
Sepsis;
Cystitis, urethritis;
Vaginitis.
These are the most common diseases that Klebsiella causes. Its favorite places of reproduction are the lungs and nasopharynx. If a person does not receive timely therapy, the bacterium will spread to other organs and tissues.
Who is at risk?
The bacterium can affect the body of any person, but people with a weakened immune system are most often affected. The risk group includes HIV-infected and patients with cancerous tumors, as well as those who have undergone chemotherapy. Often infected with Klebsiella are children of preschool and primary school age.
The elderly and pregnant women are most at risk. Their immunity is weakened, which means that the microbe can be activated at any time. Additional risk factors are: stress, beriberi, overwork.
Symptoms, depending on the organ damage
Depending on which organ was affected by the microbe, the symptoms of the disease will differ.
Upper airway
Reproduction of Klebsiella in the nasopharynx leads to an acute inflammatory process. The patient has a sore throat, rhinitis develops, the nose is blocked. The patient breathes through the mouth.
When the tonsils are affected, they increase in size, there is severe pain that prevents normal food intake. When examining the tonsils, one can visualize a white coating in the form of spots on them.
General symptoms of intoxication are classic: lack of appetite, body aches, apathy, headache. Due to severe discomfort in the throat, a person refuses not only food, but also water. Body temperature can reach 39 degrees and above, and can remain at the level of subfebrile condition.
Lungs
If Klebsiella begins to multiply in the lungs, a person develops pneumonia. Foci of inflammation can be either single or multiple.
The following symptoms indicate a severe course of the disease:
High body temperature.
Chills.
Muscle ache.
Pain in chest when trying to take a deep breath.
Cough with or without sputum. It can be green or yellow. When expectorating, a person feels discomfort in the chest from the side of the lesion.
Refusal to eat.
Increased sweating.
Nausea and vomiting.
Headache and weakness.
Insomnia.
If the patient seeks medical help too late, he may develop respiratory failure, the main symptom of which is shortness of breath. It occurs not only during physical exertion, but also at rest. Lack of treatment always leads to the development of severe complications.
Digestive system
If Klebsiella is activated in the organs of the digestive system, then the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines become inflamed first of all. The patient complains of abdominal pain, nausea. As the number of the colony increases, it opens up vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Pain in the epigastric region and along the intestines increases after eating. Appetite worsens, the person becomes lethargic.
If there is no treatment, a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis may develop, with further perforation of the organ wall and the development of peritonitis.
Organs of the genitourinary system
When Klebsiella multiplies in the vagina, women indicate discomfort and atypical discharge. Damage to the bladder leads to painful urination, discoloration of urine, the appearance of purulent impurities in it. With the timely start of therapy, the symptoms quickly recede, complications do not develop.
Klebsiella in infants
In infants, the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced. First of all, it concerns body temperature. In kids, it always reaches high marks.
Intoxication of the body is strong, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea are always present, signs of dehydration are rapidly growing. The child shows anxiety, cries all the time, refuses to eat.
If Klebsiella penetrates the mucous membrane of the eye, the child develops conjunctivitis: lacrimation increases, pus appears.
Treatment should be started as soon as possible. With an integrated approach, recovery in children occurs faster than in adults.
Analysis of mucus from the cervical canal
If Klebsiella is present in a smear taken from the cervical canal, then in-depth diagnosis and treatment is required. Normally, these bacteria should be absent there.
Klebsiella treatment
If Klebsiella was found in the feces, then the patient is hospitalized. Therapy should be comprehensive, since the presence of Klebsiella in the feces is fatal. The doctor prescribes drugs to eliminate the main symptoms of the disease, to remove intoxication from the body. Be sure to connect antibiotics, enzymes, vitamins, bacteriophages and probiotics.
Antibiotics
The severe course of the disease requires the immediate initiation of antibiotic therapy. After clarifying the type of infectious agent, the scheme can be adjusted. It is not excluded the simultaneous appointment of several drugs. They are administered intramuscularly, intravenously or orally.
Probiotics
With a mild form of intestinal infection, outpatient treatment is possible. The patient is prescribed bacteriophages and probiotics. In parallel, he should take lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. They suppress the activity of pathogenic flora by increasing the number of beneficial microbes.
Therapy should continue for at least 10 days. The optimal course duration is 21 days.
The dose is selected individually. If the patient has completed a full therapeutic course, then the body will be completely restored in a month, and the symptoms of intestinal upset will disappear much earlier.
Application of bacteriophages
Bacteriophages are microorganisms that, when they enter the human body, absorb a certain type of microbes. At the same time, they do not harm the health of the patient himself.
Name | Composition | Противопоказания |
Bacteriophage klebsiell pneumonii | Contains Klebsiella pneumoniae phagolysate filtrate. Available in the form of a solution, a dosage of 10 and 20 ml. The drug can be used when detecting Klebsiella pneumonia in any organs and tissues. | Intolerance to the components that make up the drug. |
Pyobacteriophage polyvalent purified | Contains phagolysate of Klebsiella, staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria that can harm human health. The drug can be used to treat Klebsiella in any organs or systems. | None |
Bacteriophages are the safest drugs for the treatment of bacterial infections. There are no contraindications to them, they do not have a negative effect on the human body.
Oral rehydration products
In severe disease caused by Klebsiella, oral rehydration is necessary. It is indicated for patients with high body temperature, poor appetite, signs of dehydration and intoxication. They are administered intravenously, patients are given droppers with a solution of Reamberin or Ringer.
Treatment in pregnant and lactating women
Only bacteriophages and probiotics can be used to treat a bacterial infection. They are safe for women and fetuses.
Complications and prognosis
If treatment was started on time, then the prognosis is favorable. After recovery, all systems are quickly restored, a person feels absolutely healthy.
Lack of therapy leads to the fact that the disease becomes chronic. This threatens the development of complications, including:
Respiratory failure.
COPD
Gastritis.
Stomach ulcer.
Pyelonephritis.
Enteritis.
Pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis.
Conclusion
Klebsiella are opportunistic microbes that often lead to the development of pneumonia. To avoid serious health consequences, you should consult a doctor immediately after the first symptoms appear.